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Vniew  (iDW  lLWEJBiMJ[lJLpMAS;H, 


HISTOiiY  OF  HAVEMHIIili, 


:DI  A  S  S  A  C  H  X7  S  S  T  T  S 


BY  B.  L.  MIRICK. 


Tlisre  was  a  time  when  red  men  climbed  these  hills, 
And  wandered  by  these  glades,  these  plains,  and  rills ; 
Or  rowed  the  light  canoe  along  yon  river,— 
Or  rushed  to  conflict,  armed  with  bow  and  quiver, — 
Or  'neath  the  forest  leaves  that  o'er  them  hung, 
Tliey  council  held,  or  loud  their  war-notes  sung. 

MS.  Poein. 


-♦.►»,@0^<4<, 


HAVERHILL  : 
PRINTED  AND  TUBLISHED  BY  A.  W.  THAYER. 
1832. 


I.lfTM®BU€TIO]¥, 


In  the  early  history  of  almost  every  town,  there  is 
a  great  variety  of  incidents  which  are  well  worth  pre- 
serving. However  trifling  some  of  them  may  appear  to 
strangers,  still  they  carry  a  deep  and  abiding  interest  to 
a  native.  No  one  can  heedlessly  listen  to  a  narrative 
of  the  customs  and  manners  of  his  fathers — to  a  recital  of 
the  deeds  they  accomplished,  and  the  dangers  they  sur- 
mounted. Every  valley  and  hill  has  its  history — the  an- 
cient tree  that  stretches  its  long  branches  to  the  breeze 
— the  flowers  that  spring  up  and  blossom  in  our  pathway 
— and  the  glassy  stream  that  bursts  from  the  green  hill- 
side, rippling  in  the  shade  of  the  thick  forest,  or  winding 
slowly  among  the  open  and  cultivated  fields; — and  it 
cannot  but  interest  those  who  are  now  seeking  pleasure 
or  profit  among  them,  when  they  reflect  that,  on 
the  same  places,  their  fathers  reared  their  thatched  cot- 
tages, defended  themselves  against  the  attacks  of 
prowling  beasts,  and  grappled  with  the  fierce  savages. 

The  depredations  of  the  Indians  form  a  prominent 
feature  in  the  following  pages.  Haverhill  v/as  a  fron- 
tier tovm  for  more  than  seventy  years,  and  about  thirty 
years  it  suffered  all  the  horrors  which  accompanied  sav- 
age warfare.  The  history  of  the  dangers  and  hardships 
endured  by  some  of  the  inhabitants,  in  the  latter  period, 
appears,  in  many  instances,  like  some  fabulous  story; 
and,  perhaps,  we  should  so  consider  it,  were  it  not  de- 
rived from  respectable  and  authentic  sources.     Scarcely 


a  year  passed,  but  more  or  less  of  them  were  slain, 
or  captivated  by  their  treacherous  enemy, — an  ene- 
my, who  spared  not  the  old  man,  nor  the  infant,  nei- 
ther the  strong  man,  nor  feeble  and  helpless  woman — 
all  were  alike  the  objects  of  their  hatred  and  revenge. 
Many  writers  have  ascribed  to  this  revengeful  race, 
pure  and  lofty  virtue,  high  and  delicate  principles  of 
honor,  and  firm  and  devoted  friendship  to  those  who 
have  granted  them  favors.  To  these  assertions  I  am 
not  prepared  to  subscribe.  If  valor  be  a  virtue, 
then  some  of  them  surely  possessed  it;  but  even  these 
were  few,  for  the  courage  of  a  great  majority  only 
prompted  them  to  murder  women  and  children,  and 
attack  men  unawares,  or  while  asleep.  We  have  dis- 
covered none  of  their  devoted  friendships,  nor  their  high 
principles  of  honor,  in  their  intercourse,  either  in  peace 
or  in  v*-ar,  with  the  early  inhabitants  of  this  toWn. 
Nothing  can  justify  their  treacherous  conduct — no  plea 
can  be  urged  in  their  behalf  sufficient  to  palliate  their 
diabolical  cruelties. 

The  advancement  of  the  American  Colonies  in  popu- 
lation, riches  and  power,  is  unparalleled  in  the  annals 
of  history.  The  mammoth  nations  that  have  long 
since  been  swept  from  the  field  of  existence,  whose 
arriiies  encircled  mountains,  and  covered  vallies;  whose 
armaments  triumphantly  rode  the  great  deep,  and  made 
the  rock-built  cities  of  warlike  nations  tremble  at  their 
appearance — these  can  boast,  at  no  period,  of  a  progress 
so  elevated,  so  rapid  as  our  own.  Their  early  strength 
was  like  the  infant's;  as  that  will  extend  its  arms 
to  surrounding  objects  for  support,  so  they  leaned 
on  contiguous  nations  for  protection,  until  prosperity 
began  to  flov/  through  their  internal  channels,  till 
their  limbs  were  indued  with  vigor,  and  they  could 
gird  on  the  sv/ord,  handle  the  spear,  and  go  forth  alone 
and    fearlessly    to    conquer.      Century    after    century 


came  and  passed;  revolutions,  attended  with  terrific 
gloom,  horror,  conflagration  and  bloodshed,  were  efTect- 
ed;  and  kingdoms  tottered,  crumbled  and  fell,  before 
they  attained  the  zenith  of  their  power. 

But  it  was  not  so  with  the  Colonies.  A  few  years 
only  elapsed,  when  flourishing  villages  sprung  up,  as  if 
by  magic,  from  the  gloomy  wilderness,  teeming  with  a 
hardy  and  fearJess  population.  Scarcely  a  century  and 
a  half  had  revolved,  when  they  arose  in  their  strength, 
and  shook  the  chains  of  monarchy  from  their  limbs. 
The  spirit  of  Liberty  was  an  early  and  beloved  inmate 
of  the  bosoms  of  our  Fathers.  It  was  a  native  of  the  soil 
on  which  they  trod.  It  roamed  upon  the  mountain  that 
lifts  its  bleak  brow  to  the  clouds,  as  wild,  as  proud,  and 
free,  as  the  grey  bird  that  builds  her  eyry  on  its  loftiest 
cliff;  sometimes  it  rested  in  its  sunny  places,  or  in  the 
shadow  of  its  tall  trees;  sometimes  it  basked  on  its  sky- 
peaked  rocks,  or  travelled  with  the  winds  over  its  wild 
recesses.  It  descended  into  the  vallies  and  sate  be- 
neath the  green  chestnut,  the  sycamore,  or  cedar;  or 
slept  in  the  night-time  among  their  sweetest  flowers.  At 
noon-day  it  drank  from  the  cool  fountains  that  burst 
from  the  silent  caverns  of  the  hills,  and  gently  flowed 
through  the  shady  woods.  It  was  in  every  hill,  glen, 
tree  and  stream,  and  readily  infused  itself  into  the 
bosoms  of  our  fathers,  where  it  was  a  welcome  and 
cherished  guest.  At  last,  when  it  was  chafed  with  the 
iron  hand  of  oppression,  it  broke  from  its  retreat,  and 
defied  the  veteran  armies  and  the  multiplied  armaments 
of  the  mightiest  nation  of  Europe.  Its  voice  was  then 
like  the  sound  of  a  terrible  earthquake,  or  the  roll  of 
midnight  thunders;  and  it  rang,  not  only  among  our 
own  White  and  Apalachian  hills,  but  among  the  snow- 
clad  cliffs  of  the  Dofr afield,  and  through  the   land  of 

palms  and  cypresses. 
1* 


That  spirit  of  liberty, — that  earnest  longing  for 
independence  which  animates  the  breast  of  man,  is  not 
to  be  spoken  of — it  is  not  to  be  written,  analyzed 
nor  criticised;  but  to  be  mused  upon — to  be  felt — and 
to  be  acted  in  the  field,  or  in  the  hall  of  legislation.  It 
may  be  crushed,  but  never  destroyed;  it  may  nearly 
wither  beneath  the  hot  breath  of  monarchy,  but  it  will 
never  die.  We  might  as  well  think  of  handling  the 
lightning,  or  of  changing  the  course  of  the  thunder-bolt, 
as  to  destroy  it.  It  is  unfathomable — indescribable — 
unknown,  but  to  him  who  feels  it.  The  roar  of 
conflicting  armies,  the  crackling  of  a  conflagration, 
the  clanking  of  chains,  the  horrors  of  a  dungeon — 
nothing  will  appal  the  heart  which  it  animates. 

In  the  long  and  arduous  struggle  of  the  Colonies  for 
independence,  Haverhill  bore  its  share  of  the  losses, 
])oth  in  men  and  treasure;  perhaps  none,  of  the  same 
vrealth  and  population,  did  more.  Most  of  the  inhabi- 
tants w^ere  ready,  at  any  period,  to  sacrifice  their  for- 
tunes, and  even  their  lives,  to  support  the  government 
of  their  choice.  Their  taxes  were  frequently  enormous, 
but  they  were  cheerfully  borne.  Though  darkness 
and  gloom  often  hung  like  a  pall  over  the  struggling 
nation,  still  they  were  not  dispirited,  but  clung  to  hope, 
like  men  who  had  determined  to  die,  rather  than  see 
their  beloved  country  groaning  in  slavery. 

But  few  of  these  revolutionary  worthies  are  now 
living.  The  most  of  them  have  been  gathered  to  the 
harvest  of  death,  and  the  venerable  remnant  that  now 
remains,  will  quickly  pass  away.  Their  voices  will  be 
silent — their  hoary  heads  will  be  no  longer  among  us — 
they  will  be  crumbling  in  the  earth  with  their  fathers. 
But  the  story  of  their  achievement  shall  not  be  forgot- 
ten. Their  swords  and  their  sheaths  shall  be  hung  up 
in  the  halls  of  their  children,  as  silent  but  intelligible 
witnesses  of  their  deeds.     Their  glory  shall  never  pass 


from  their  names;  but,  in  whatever  land  the  banner  of 
freedom  is  unfurled,  there  will  their  memories  be  cher- 
ished, and  their  praises  sung. 

Though  the  interest  created  by  a  history  of  this  kind 
is  principally  local,  still  no  pains  or  expense  has  been 
spared  to  make  it  what  it  should  be.  When  I  began  to 
collect  my  materials,  the  names  of  the  first  settlers  were 
not  known,  and  even  the  year  in  which  the  town  was 
said  to  be  settled,  was,  by  many  disputed.  Many  ac- 
counts have  been  published  of  the  heroic  deed  of  Mrs. 
Hannah  Dustin;  but  the  most  of  them  which  I  have  ex- 
amined are  very  imperfect,  and  some  of  them  inconsis- 
tent. To  this,  and  the  memorable  attack  by  the  French 
and  Indians  on  the  29th  August,  1708,  I  have  paid  par- 
ticular attention;  and  believe  that  I  have  collected 
ail  the  attending  circumstances  worthy  of  being  pre- 
served; many  of  v/hich  have  not  hitherto  been  generally 
known.  I  have  collected  the  names  of  many  persons 
who  lived  here  at  an  early  period;  the  names  of  those 
v/ho  were  slain  hy  the  Indians,  the  day  on  which  they 
fell,  and  in  many  cases  the  incidents  connected  with 
them.  The  reader  will  also  find  short  biographical 
sketches  of  some  of  the  prominent  men  who  were  an 
honor  to  the  town. 

In  my  researches  I  found  many  ancient  manuscripts 
in  private  families,  some  of  which  were  written  nearly 
one  hundred  and  fifty  years  ago,  but  were  laid  aside 
with  waste  papers,  and  considered  of  no  value.  I  have 
likewise  discovered  many  almanacks,  more  than  a  cen- 
tury old,  on  which  the  owners  kept  a  journal  of  remark- 
able events.  The  late  Hon.  Bailey  Bartlett,  just  before 
his  decease,  copied  from  his  almanacks,  a  journal  kept  by 
himself  and  his  father,  from  1732  to  1830.  From  this  I 
have  extracted  many  interesting  facts.  The  Town  Re- 
cords are  another  source  from  which  I  have  derived  in- 
formation.    The  first  regular  meeting  held  by  the  town 


was  in  1643;  and  the  book  in  which  were  recorued  the 
doings  of  that  and  a  few  succeeding  years,  is  in  a  very 
tattered  condition.  Some  of  its  pages  can  scarcely 
be  decyphered.  It  seems  that  the  Indians,  in  one  of 
their  attacks,  obtained  possession  of  it;  but  it  was  found 
soon  after  in  the  westerly  part  of  the  town,  now  IMe- 
thuen,  in  a  very  damaged  state.  I  have  inserted  some 
things  which  were  handed  down  by  tradition;  but  have, 
in  most  cases,  given  them  as  such,  and  have  admit- 
ted none  but  those  which  seemed  probable,  or  were  de- 
rived from  respectable  sources. 

These  are  a  few  of  the  numerous  authorities  from 
which  I  have  drawn  my  information.  It  cannot  be  ex- 
pected, in  such  a  variety  of  facts  and  dates,  as  is  con- 
tained in  the  following  pages,  that  all  will  be  perfectly  cor- 
rect; though  great  pains  have  been  taken  to  have  them  so. 
To  those  persons  who  have  assisted  me  in  collecting 
materials,  and  have  taken  an  interest  in  the  publication 
of  this  work,  I  offer  the  fervent  expressions  of  my  grati- 
tude; and  I  am  particularly  indebted  to  Charles  White, 
Esq.  and  Charles  JMinot,  Esq.  of  Haverhill;  Mr.  Ben- 
jamin Greenleaf,  Preceptor  of  Bradford  Academy;  John 
Farmer,  Esq.,  of  Concord,  N.H.;  WiUiam  Gibbs,  Esq., 
of  Salem;  ancf  Mr.  Joshua  Cofhn,  of  Newbury,  whose 
manuscript  history  of  his  native  town,  will,  I  under- 
stand, soon  be  presented  to  the  public. 


HISTORY  OF  HAVEKIIILL. 


1640. 

The  first  intimation  of  the  settling  of  Pentucket,  now 
Haverhill,  which  we  have  been  able  to  discover,  is  con- 
tained in  the  following  letter  from  Giles  Firmin  to  Gov. 
Winthrop,  dated  26th  Dec.  1639. 

*'  Much  honoured  and  dtar  Sir : 

But  that  I  thinke  it  needlesse  (God  havinge  more  than  ordinary e 
fitted  you  for  such  trials)  my  letter  might  tell  you  with  what  griefe  of 
spij-it  I  received  the  news  of  that  sad  affliction  which  is  lately  hap- 
pened to  your  worship,  by  means  of  that  unfaithful  wretch;  I  hope 
God  will  luid  a  shoulder  to  helpe  you  beare  so  great  a  burthen.  But 
the  little  time  there  is  allotted  me  to  v^^rite,  I  must  spend  in  request- 
uig  your  worships  counsel  and  favour.  P.Iy  father  in  law  Ward,  since 
his  Sonne  came  over,  is  varey  desirous  that  wee  might  sett  down 
together,  and  so  that  he  might  leave  us  together  if  God  should  re- 
move hun  from  hence.  Because  that  cant  be  accomplished  in  this? 
town,  is  verey  desirous  to  get  mee  to  remove  with  him  to  a  new 
plantation.  After  much  perswasion  used,  considermge  my  want  of 
accommodations  here  (the  ground  the  town  having  given  mee  lying 
5  miles  from  mee  or  more)  and  that  the  gains  of  physick  will  not 
fiiide  mee  in  bread,  but,  besides  apprehendhige  that  it  might  bee  a 
way  to  free  him  from  some  temptations,  and  make  him  more  cheer- 
ful and  more  serviceable  to  the  country  or  church,  have  yeelded  to 
him.  Herein,  as  Pdesire  your  counsel,  so  do  I  humbly  request 
your  favour,  that  you  loould  he  pleased  to  give  us  the  liberty e 
of  choosinge  a  plantation;  wee  thinke  it  will  bee  at  Pentuckett 
or  Quichichchek  ICochichawich}  by  Shawshin:  so  soon  as  the 
season  will  give  us  leave  to  goe,  we  shall  inform  your  worship  which 
wee  desire  :  And  if  that,  by  the  court  of  election,  wee  cannot  gather 
a  company  to  begine  it,  wee  will  let  it  fall.  We  desire  you  will  not 
graunt  any  of  them  to  any  before  wee  have  scene  them.  If  3'Our 
worship  have  heard  any  relation  of  the  places,  wee  should  I'emainQ 


10 

'(hankfijl  to  you,  if  you  would  be  pleased  to  counsel  us  to  any  of 
them.  Further,  I  would  entreate  for  advise  in  this  :  The  towne  gave 
mee  the  ground  (100  acres)  upon  this  condition,  that  I  should  stay 
in  the  towne  3  yeares,  or  else  I  could  not  sell  it :  Now  my  father 
supposes  it  beuig  my  first  heritage  (my  father  having  none  in  the 
land)  that  it  is  more  than  they  canne  doe  to  hinder  mee  thus,  when 
as  others  have  no  business,  but  range  from  place  to  place,  on  pur- 
pose to  live  upon  the  countrey.  1  would  entreate  your  counsel 
whither  or  noe  1  canne  sell  it.  Further :  I  am  strongly  sett  upon  to 
studye  divinitie,  ray  study es  else  must  be  lost;  for  physick  is  but  a 
meene  helpe.  In  these  cases  I  humbly  referre  to  your  worship,  as 
my  father,  for  your  counsel,  and  so  in  much  haste,  with  my  best 
sendees  presented  to  your  worship,  wishinge  you  a  strong  support  in 
your  affliction,  and  a  good  and  comfortable  issue',  I  rest  your  wor- 
ships in  what  he  canne  to  his  power.  GYLES  FYRjMIN. 
Ipswich,  26,  10th,  1639. 

Wee  humbly  entreate  your  secrecye  in  our  desires." 

Firmin  soon  after  went  to  England,  where  he  became 
a  celebrated  non-conformist  minister.  He  was  the  au- 
thor of  a  work  called  the  "  Real  Christian,"  and  proba- 
bly few  books  of  that  description  have  been  more  read 
or  oftener  reprinted. 

Soon  after,  Mr.  John  Ward,  together  with  some  of 
the  inhabitants  of  Nev/biiry,  petitioned  the  General 
Court  for  liberty  to  settle  at  Pentucket,  or  Cochicha- 
wich,  as  appears  by  the  following: 

"  At  a  General  Courte  held  at  Boston  the  13th  of  8d  month  1640 
[13th  May  1640,]  the  desires  oflMr.  [John]  Ward,  and  Newbury 
men,  is  committed  to  the  Governor,  Deputy  Governor,  and  Mr. 
Wintlu-op,  sen.  to  consider  of  Fentuckett  and  of  Cochickawich,  and 
to  grant  it  to  them,  provided  they  return  answer  within  three 
weeks  from  the  21st  present,  and  that  they  build  there  before  the 
next  Comte." 

After  some  little  consideration,  IMr.  Ward  and  his 
companions  selected  Pentucket  ;  and  allowing  them 
three  weeks  to  come  to  a  decision  and  return  their  an- 
swer, the  settlement  must  have  commenced  between  the 
11th  of  June  and  the  7th  of  Octobei-  following,  the 
day  on  which  the  next  Court  was  holden. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  those  persons  who 
accompanied  Mr.  Ward,  and  struck  the  first  blow  to- 
wards erecting  a  settlement  in  the  wild  woods  of  Pen- 
tucket. Those  in  Italics  were  from  Newbury.  William 
IVhite,  Samuel  Gile,  James  Davis,  Henry  Palmer,  John 
Rohinsoiiy  Abraham  Tyler,  Daniel  Ladd,  Joseph  Merrie^ 


11 

'Christopher  Hiissey,  Job   Clement,  John   Williams  and 
Richard  Littlchale. 

At  a  General  Court  holden  at  Boston,  7th  October, 
1640,  ''Mr.  Edward  Woodman,  Mr.  Paine,  and  Mr. 
Nelson,  were  appointed  to  view  the  bounds  between 
Colchester  [Salisbury]  and  Mr.   Ward''s  jjlaiitaiion.''^ 

By  these  extracts,  taken  from  the  records  of  the  Gen- 
eral Court,  it  is  evident  that  the  settlement  of  Pentuck- 
et  was  commenced  in  the  summer  of  1610,  under  the 
conduct  of  the  venerable  Ward.  Cotton  Mather  says 
that  Mr.  Ward  "settled  in  Haverhill  in  1641;"  but  he 
certainly  mistakes,  for  the  express  conditions  granted  to  . 
the  petitioners,  were,  that  "  they  should  return  answer 
within  three  weeks  from  the  21st  May,  1640,  and  build 
before  the  next  Court,"  which  was  on  the  7th  of  Octo- 
ber follov/ing.  Soon  after  its  settlement  it  was  called 
Haverhill,  in  compliment  to  Mr.  Ward,  who  was  born 
in  Haverhill,  Essex  County,  England,  and  was  the 
fearless  and  hardy  pioneer  of  civilization  into  the 
gloomy  and  unbroken  wilderness.  The  first  house  was 
erected  near  the  old  burying  ground,  one  fourth  of  a 
mile  east  of  Haverhill  Bridge;  but  in  the  course  of  two 
years,  a  house  was  built  near  Mr.  Ezekiel  Hale's 
Factory. 

On  undertaking  important  enterprises,  our  pious  an- 
cestors generally  associated  with  them  ministers  of  the 
gospel;  but  in  the  settlement  of  Haverhill,  a  clergyman 
was  the  projector  and  leader.  No  tongue  could  more 
faithfully  portray  their  moral  character  and  religious 
feelings — no  language  could  speak  more  powerfully 
their  elevated  sentiments.  Where  the  sound  of  the 
Avoodman's  axe  echoed  amid  the  forest  solitudes — where 
the  thatched  hut  was  reared,  and  the  blue  smoke  issued 
from  its  wooden  chimney,  and  curled  far  upward  among 
the  thick  branches — there  was  heard  the  sound  of 
prayer,  and  devout  hearts  spake  of  Jesus,  of  Calvary, 
and  the  sepulchre.  Beneath  the  shadow  of  the  kingly 
oak,  the  hardy  settler  and  his  children,  with  their  rug- 
ged and  sunburnt  visages,  could  gather  in  the  deepen- 
ing twilight,  while  their  teacher  stood  among  them,  and 
taught  them  from  the  book  of  God.  If  their  babes 
looked  up  to  the  sky,  when  the  summer's  sun  had  gone 


12 

down  in  its  glory,  and  asked  who  gave  it  such  beauty, 
they  were  answered,  God;  if  they  looked  up  in  the 
depth  of  midnight,  and  saw  the  stars,  and  extended 
their  puny  hands  as  they  would  take  them  in  their 
grasp — if  they  gathered  flowers  in  their  pathway — or  if 
they  gazed  upon  the  tempest-cloud,  and  concealed 
themselves,  and  wept  for  fear; — their  teacher  told  them 
that  all  these  were  the  workb  of  God;  that  they  could 
kneel  in  the  forest,  by  the  fountain,  and  the  river,  and 
He  would  be  among  them. 

Before  the  town  was  settled,  it  was  covered  with  an 
immense,    and    in   some    places,    almost    impenetrable 
forest,  except  the  lowlands  or  meadows.     These  w^ere 
cleared   by    the    Indians,  perhaps  centuries  before  the 
discovery  of  America;  and  they  were   covered  with  a 
heavy    growth   of  grass,  which    grew    so    exceedingly 
thick,  and  so  very  high,  that  it  was  impossible   to  dis- 
cover man  or  beast  at  a  distance  of  five  rods.     They 
resembled  the  celebrated  prairies  of  the  West  in  every 
thing  except  extent.     Every  autumn  the  Indians  set  the 
dried    grass   on    fire,  so   that  they  might    more    easily 
kill    the   deer   which    came    to    feed    on    it,    the .  next 
spring.       On      account     of    the     grass,     they     were 
prized  above  all  other  lands  by  the  first    settlers,  for  , 
there  they  procured  hay  for  their  flocks;  and  they  were 
divided    into    small    lots,  and   distributed  among  them. 
The  forest  was  filled  with  various  kinds  of  small  birds. 
Innumerable    flocks    of  ducks   resorted   to  the    ponds, 
and   the  timid    loon  was   seen  sailing    majestically   on 
their  waters.       The    wild   deer    reposed   in  the   shady 
groves,    or  bounded  over    the    hills,    followed    by   the 
eager    hunter.       The    loud  bark    of  the    raccoon  was 
heard,  and  the  w^Iy  fox  was  often  seen  leaping  through 
the  woods.     But  the  worst  enemy,  of  the  beast  kind,  to 
the  infant  settlement,  was  the  cruel  and  voracious  wolf. 
They  sometimes  roamed  the  woods  in  droves,  trotting 
like   dogs,  and    in    some  of  'their  excursions  destroyed 
large   numbers  of  sheep.     At  one  period  they  had  be- 
come   so    bold    and    troublesome,  that    a    large  plat  of 
ground  was  enclosed  near  the  common,  and  used  as  a 
pasture    for   the  sheep.     Shepherds  Vvcre  likewise  ap- 
pointed  to   protect   them,  and  at  night  they  were  col- 


13 

lected  into  a  close  fold,  or  pen.  Hardly  a  day  passed 
in  which  depredations  were  not  made;  and  almost  every 
night  their  dismal  howlings  broke  upon  its  solitude. 

Haverhill  was  sold  by  two  Sachems,  or  Chiefs,  Pas- 
saquoi  and  Saggahew;  and  the  tribe  which  inhabited  it 
was  under  their  jurisdiction.  They  were  not,  however, 
entirely  independent;  but  acknowledged  allegiance  to  a 
higher  power,  invested  in  Passaconnamy,*  who  was  the 
great  powah,  or  priest,  of  all  the  tribes  in  this  quarter. 
No  expedition  of  moment,  or  action  of  importance,  was 
commenced  without  his  consent.  He  gained  this 
power  over  his  brethren  by  the  aid  of  religion, 
their  notions  of  which  are  thus  described  by  Lewis: 
"  They  believed  that  after  death  they  should  go  to 
the  region  whence  came  the  pleasant  south-west  wind, 
where  dwelt  their  great  and  benevolent  God,  Cautonto- 
wit,  and  where  they  should  enjoy  perpetual  pleasures, 
and  hunting  and  fishing  without  weariness.  They  en- 
dured the  most  acute  pains  without  a  murmur,  never 
laughed  loud,  and  their  words  and  deeds  were  seldom 
strangers."  Their  principal  village  was  on  the  banks 
of  Little  River,  near  its  mouth;  and  the  house  of  Thomas 
R.  Appleton  stands  on  'what  was  once  their  burial 
ground.  When  that  cellar  was  excavated,  a  number  of 
skeletons  were  dug  up  in  a  very  good  state  of  preser- 
vation. Heads  of  arrows  have  frequently  been  found 
in  that  quarter,  stone  mortars  in  which  they  pounded 
their  corn,  and  other  utensils  of  a  warlike  and  culinary 
kind.  The  arrow-head  was  a  flat  stone,  about  two 
inches  in  length,  gradually  sloping  to  a  sharp  point  at 
one  end.  This  was  fastened  to  an  oak  stick  about 
twenty  inches  in  length,  and  when  thrown  with  a  strong, 
elastic  bow,  often  gave  a  deadly  wound.  The  mortar 
was  a  soft  stone,  of  considerable  dimensions,  in  which 
they  scooped  a  hollow  place,  varying  in  depth  and 
diameter,  according  to  the  size  of  the  family. 

Their  women  performed  all  the  drudgery  of  their 
households,  and  were  likewise  the  tillers  of  the  soil;  the 
men  deeming  it  debasing  to  engage  in  any  thing  but 
hunting,  fishing  and  war.  They  were  not  destitute  of 
music,  for  they  were  accustomed  to  sing  songs  while 

'^This  name  in  the  Deed  is  spelt,  Passaconnaway. 


14 

engaged  in  almost  every  occupation.  When  they 
launched  their  birchen  canoes  on  the  smooth  waters  of 
the  Merrimack,*  to  proceed  on  any  expedition,  they 
sung  a  song,  intermixed  with  low  and  gutteral  sounds, 
while  the  rowers  marked  time  with  their  oars.  When 
they  went  to  war  with  their  neighbors,  returned  from 
thence,  or  impaled  the  victims  they  had  taken,  they 
sung  their  terrific  war-songs,  accompanied  with  dances, 
when  they  screamed  and  hallooed  to  the  extent  of  their 
voices,  and  threw  their  bodies  into  almost  every  posi- 
tion. When  they  buried  a  warrior,  the  deeds  he  had 
done  in  Uattle,  the  courage  he  had  displayed,  and  the 
scalps  he  had  taken,  were  all  recounted  in  song.  When 
the  mother  wished  to  pacify  her  restless  child,  she  sung 
to  it  a  song  as  gentle  and  tender  as  the  rudeness  of 
her  language  would  permit,  which  corresponded  in 
effect  with  the  English  lullaby;  and  she  could  display 
her  affections  to  her  offspring  with  those  peculiar  tones, 
looks  and  manners,  known  only  to  mothers,  though 
they  might  appear  to  us,  harsh  and  ungraceful.  The 
white  mother  cannot  boast  of  deeper  and  stronger 
affections  for  her  babe,  than  the  red  mother  could  for 
hers,  whose  home  was  in  the  forest,  but  whose  heart 
was  unacquainted  with  the  gentleness,  which  is  thought, 
by  some,  to  be  generated  by  civilization. 

They  also  had  their  different  kinds  of  food.  Doubt- 
less all  have  heard,  and  perhaps  eaten,  of  samp,  succa- 
tash  and  hominy.  These  names  are  of  Indian  origin, 
and  designated  their  kinds  of  dishes.  Samp  was  made 
of  corn  boiled  in  the  kernel,  and  when  it  was  parched 
and  pounded  for  journies,  it  was  called  nokehike.j* 
Succatash  was  made  of  corn  in  the  kernel,  after  it  was 
shelled  from  the  cob,  and  shelled-beans,  boiled  toge- 
ther. Their  hominy  was  also  made  of  corn,  pounded  in 
tlieir  mortars  and  boiled.  This  last  dish  is  very  much 
admired  at  the  present  day;  and  soon  as  the  corn  has 
sufficiently  ripened,  the  New-England  farmer  selects  a 
portion  purposely  for  a  ^'mess  of  hominy." 

The  Indians  were  the  first  proprietors  of  the  soil. 
May  it  be  asked,  where  they  are.^  have  they  been  cru- 

*  The  Indians  called  it  more  fieqiiently  Monomack,  which  signi- 
fies ill  English,  a  Sturgeon.         t  Lewis. 


15 

elly  exterminated — were  they  plundered  of  their  lands, 
with  the  aid  of  tlie  sword — were  their  wigwams  stained 
with  their  blood,  and  with  that  of  their  children? — No; 
our  fathers  came  among  them  peaceably;  the  whistle 
of  the  bullet,  armed  with  death  for  the  red-man,  was  not 
heard  till  they  began  a  war  of  extermination  witli 
the  infant  settlement,  and  put  in  practice  their  horrid 
system  of  cruelty  towards  their  unfortunate  captives. 
As  civilization  advanced  around  and  among  them — as 
its  footsteps  were  planted  where  their  dwellings  were 
reared,  they  seem  to  have  withered  before  its  breath, 
and  sunk  silently  into  the  graves  of  their  fathers. 

If  we  contemplate  the  rapid  growth  of  our  cities  and 
pleasant  villages — if  we  gaze  on  the  tall  spires  as  they 
are  brilliantly  flashing  in  the  sun-light — if  we  look  be- 
fore us,  and  behind,  and  see  the  cultivated  fields  stretch- 
ing far  onward,  interspersed  here  and  there  with  beau- 
tiful dwellings — we  find  in  them  a  subject  of  gratulation 
to  the  proud-hearted  and  enlightened  freeman.  But,  as 
the  mind  looks  backward  into  the  years  registered  in 
eternity,  and  inquires  for  the  nations  that  were  once  nu- 
merous and  mighty — for  the  kings  who  went  forth,  with 
their  people,  to  battle — for  the  vv^arriors  who  bent  their 
bows  on  the  mountain-cliffs,  and  in  the  vallies, — then  the 
heart  grows  sad  over  the  memory  of  those  that  have 
been;  it  bleeds  over  the  tombs  of  the  nations  made  deso- 
late; a  sadness  is  mingled  with  our  joy,  and  our  rejoi- 
cings end  with  a  tear. 


'**^^%**^' 


1641- 

At  a  General  Court  of  Elections,  holden  at  Boston 
on  the  2d  of  June,  "Mr.  John  Woodb ridge,  Matthew 
Bayse,  John  Crosse  and  George  Giddings,  they  four,  or 
any  three  of  them,  are  appointed  to  set  out  the  bounds 
of  Sahsbury  and  Pentucket,  alias  Haverhill;  they  are  to 
determine  the  bounds  which  Mr.  Ward  and  his  company 
are   to   enjoy  as  a  towne  or  village,  if  they  have  six 


16 

houses  up  by  the  next  General  Courte  in  the  8th  month." 
[October.] 

By  the  above  it  appears,  that  not  so  many  as  six 
houses  were  buiit  prior  to  June;  but  probably  the  re- 
quired number  was  erected  by  the  7th  of  October  fol- 
lowing. 

The  first  birth  recorded,  was  that  of  a  son  of  John 
Robinson,  who  lived  but  three  weeks.  The  second  was 
likewise  a  son  of  his,  who  also  died  within  a  week  after 
his  birth. 

In  September  the  Governor  received  letters  from 
Connecticut  and  other  places,  informing  him  that  the 
Indians  through  the  country  had  combined  to  destroy 
the  English.  The  time  appointed  was  soon  after  the 
harvest.  They  were  to  separate  themselves  into  small 
parties,  visit  the  houses  of  the  principal  men  for  the  pro- 
fessed purpose  of  trading,  while  others  concealed  them- 
.selves  in  the  vicinity.  Those  who  were  in  the  houses, 
xvhile  partaking  the  hospitality  of  their  owners,  were  ex- 
pected to  fall  upon  them  unawares,  slay  them,  and  seize 
then-  weapons,  while  the  party  concealed  were  to  rush 
suddenly  in  and  prosecute  the  massacre. 

Upon  this  intelligence  it  was  thought  advisable,  by 
the  Governor  and  Council,  to  disarm  the  Indians  within 
their  jurisdiction.  Forty  men  were  accordingly  sent 
with  instructions  to  disarm  Passaconnamy,  who  "lived 
by  IMerrimack."  The  alarm  was  so  great  that  the 
company  started  on  the  Sabbath;  but  on  that  and  the 
.'succeeding  days,  a  heavy  rain  had  fallen,  which  made 
the  paths  so  intolerably  bad  that  they  were  unable  to 
reach  his  wigwam.  They,  however,  came  to  his  son's, 
and  took  him,  a  squaw  and  her  child,  the  wife  and  son  of 
Passaconnamy,  prisoners.  On  their  return,  fearing  that 
the  son  would  escape,  they  led  him  with  a  line;  but  this 
Avas  not  a  sufficient  security,  for  he  soon  slipped  it  and 
ran  into  the  vroods,  when  one  of  the  company  fired  at 
him.  but  without  effect. 

Soon  as  the  Governor  and  Council  heard  of  these 
unwarrantable  proceedings,  they  feared  the  resent- 
ment of  Passaconnamy;  and  immediately  sent  Cutsha- 
makin,  the  Sachem  at  Braintree,  who  had  been  be- 
fore disarmed  and  imprisoned   for  the  like  suspicions. 


17 

to  inform  him  that  the  imprisonment  of  his  relatives  was 
without  their  order,  and  to  tell  him  the  reasons  why  they 
disarmed  the  Indians  within  their  jurisdiction.  He  was 
told  at  the  same  time,  that,  if  they  were  found  innocent 
of  their  suspicions,  their  arms  should  be  immediately 
restored.  "  He  returned  answer  that  he  knew  not  what 
was  become  of  his  son  and  his  squas  (for  one  of  them 
was  ran  into  the  woods  and  came  not  again  for  ten  days 
after  and  the  other  was  still  in  custody)  if  he  had  them 
safe  again  then  he  would  come  to  us,  accordingly  about 
a  fortnight  after  he  sent  his  eldest  son  to  us,  who  deliv- 
ered.up  his  guns,  &c."  * 

No  massacre  of  this  kind  was  perpetrated;  but  it  was 
afterwards  ascertained  that  such  a  plot  had  existed, 
headed  by  Miantonamoh,  Chief  of  the  Naragansetts, 
which  was  developed  by  three  or  four  of  its  members. 
It  was  discovered  to  Mr.  Haines  of  Connecticut,  by  one 
of  them,  v/ho,  "by  some  special  circumstances,  viz: 
that  being  much  hurt  by  a  cart  (which  usually  there  are 
drawn  by  oxen)  sent  for  Mr.  Haines  and  told  him  that 
Englishmen's  God  was  angry  with  him  and  sent  En- 
glishmen's cow  (meaning  the  oxen  in  the  cart  or  wain) 
to  kill  him,  because  he  had  concealed  such  a  plot  against 
the  English."! 

Passaconnamy  was  rather  friendly  to  the  English 
than  otherwise.  He  soon  after  went  to  Penacook,  where 
he  extended  his  dominion  over  the  Agawams,  Naam- 
keeks,  Pascataquas,  Accomentas,  and  others.  We  can 
learn  the  name  of  only  one  son,  Wonolanset,  who  suc- 
ceeded him  as  Sachem  at  Penacook,  and  always  refused 
to  fight  the  English.  J 

1642. 

Though  the  to^\Ti  was  settled  and  houses  were  erected 
in  1640,  the  grantees  had  no  title  from  the  Indians,  the 
original  proprietors,  until  this  year,  when    they    nego- 

*  Winthrop,  page  258.  t  Hubbard. 

:|:  Rev.  Nathaniel  Bouton's   Sermons,  in   commemoralion   of  the 
organizing  of  the  first  church  at  Concord,  N,  H, 

2* 


18 


tiated  with  their  Sachems,  and  obtained  the  following 
deed,  which  is  a  correct  copy  from  the  original.  * 

*' Know  all  men  by  these  presents,  that  wee  Passaquo  and  Sag- 
gaHew  w^h  ye  consent  of  Passaconnaway :  have  sold  unto  ye  Inhabi- 
tants of  Pentuckett  all  ye  lands  wee  have  in  Pentuckett;  that  is  eyght 
inyles  in  length  from  ye  little  Rivvev  in  Pentuckett  Westward:  Six 
inyles  in  length  from  ye  aforesaid  Rivver  northward:  And  six  myles 
m  length  from  ye  foresaid  Rivver  Eastward,  wth  ye  Heand  and  ye  riv- 
ver that  ye  ileand  stand  in  as  far  in  length  as  ye  land  lyes  by  as  for- 
merly expressed:  that  is,  fourteene  myles  m  length:  And  wee  ye  said 
Passaquo  and  SaggaHew  w^h  ye  consent  of  Passaconnaway,  have 
sold  unto  ye  said  inhabitants  all  ye  right  that  wee  or  any  of  us  have 
in  ye  said  ground  and  Ileand  and  Rivver:  And  wee  warrant  it  against 
all  or  any  other  Indeans  whatsoever  unto  ye  said  Inhabitants  of  Pen- 
tuckett, and  to  their  heires  and  assignes  forever- Dated  ye  fifteenth 
day  of  november  Ann  Dom  1642. 

Witnes  our  hands  and  seales  to  this  bargayne  of  sale  ye  day  and 
year  above  written  (in  ye  presents  of  us.)  wee  ye  said  Passaquo  & 
Haggaliew  have  received  in  hand,  for  &  m  consideration  of  ye  same 
rliree  pounds  &  ten  shillings. 

John  Ward  v^  marke  of 


Robert  Clements     Passaquo 
Tristram  Coffijn 
Hugh  Sherratt 
William  White 


[SEAL.] 


yc  si^ne  of  (0 
Thomas  Davis 


Sagg. 


[seal.] 


On  the  side  of  it  the  following  is  written: — ^'  Entered 
and  recorded  in  y^  County  Records  for  Norfolk  (lib. 
I'd,  pa  209)  ye  29th  day  of  April  1671  As  attest  Tho. 
Bradbury  Recorder. 

Recorded  ye  first  of  Aprill  1681  among  Ve  records^ 
of  Lands  for  Essex  at  Ipswich:  As  attest  Robert  Lord 
Recorder." 

i  ♦ 

*This  curious  manuscript,  which  is  nearly  two  centuries  old,  is 
now  in  the  possession  of  Charles  White,  Esq. 


19 

On  the  outside  it  is  endorsed,  "  The  purchase  from 
the  Indians  by  Haverhill  men,  Recorded." 

In  1680,  the  deed  was  copied  into  the  Town  Rec- 
ords, and  the  following  testimony  was  taken  by  Na- 
thaniel Saltonstall,  which  is  written  on  the  succeeding 
page. 

"  The  Rev.  Teacher  of  ye  church  &  towns  of  Haverhill,  Mr. 
John  Ward;  &  William  White  and  Tho.  Davis  do  tejstifie  that  Ha- 
verhill towneship  or  lands  then  by  y*^  Indians  called  Pentuckett,  was 
purchased  of  ye  Indians  as  is  mentioned  in  ye  deed  in  this  paper  con- 
tained, wc  is  entered  upon  record  and  that  wee  were  then  inhabitants 
at  Haverhill  and  present  w^h  ye  Indians  Passaquoi  and  Saggahew 
(who  were  ye  apparent  owners  of  ye  land  &  so  accounted)  did  signe 
and  conlirme  ye  same;  and  that  then,  wee,  (with  others  now  dead) 
did  signe  our  names  to  ye  deed,  which  land  wee  have  ever  since 
enjoyed  peaceably  without  any  Indian  molestation  from  the  grantors 
or  their  heirs.  Taken  upon  I'ebuary  ye  4th  16S0  before  Nath.  Sal- 
tonstall. Assist." 

John  Ward,  the  minister,  settled  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
grave-yard,  and  on  the  29th  of  September  he  had  sixteen 
acres  of  land  laid  out  to  him  for  a  home-lot,  "  with  all 
accommodations  thereunto  belonging."*  He  was  born  in 
Haverhill,  England,  5th  Nov.  1606.  He  married  Alice 
Edmunds,  and  had  two  children,  Elizabeth  and  Mary; 
his  wife  died  24th  March,  1680,  and  he  followed  27th 
J)ec.  1693.t 

Robert  Clement  came  from  England  early  in  the 
year,  to  Salisbury,  and  sometime  in  the  summer  removed 
to  Haverhill.  He  was  a  cooper  by  trade,  and  was  the 
first  in  town.  In  1652,  he  married  Elizabeth  Fane,  and 
had  eleven  children.  He  settled  at  first,  a  few  rods 
east  of  the  burial-ground,  and  in  the  following  year 
removed  to  the  Rocks'  Village,  where  he  improved 
"  ye  land  iti  y*^  planting  of  corne." 

Tristram  Coffin  came  from  Devonshire,  England, 
with  his  mother,  wife,  and  five  children,  in  the  ship  with 
Robert  Clement,  and  landed  at  Salisbury.  He  seems  to 
have  settled  near  Robert  Clement,  and  tradition  says 

*No  account  can  be  found  of  any  lands  laid  out  prior  to  1643, 
except  Mr.  Ward's,  which  is  just  mentioned  in  a  note  in  the  Town 
Records,  at  the  bottom  of  the  page,  under  the  year  1643;  and  no 
record  of  the  lands  laid  out  to  the  other  settlers  of  1640,  is  presented. 

t  A  further  account  will  be  found  of  Mr.  Ward,  in  the  vear  1693. 


20 

that  he  was  the  first  person  who  ploughed  land  in  Ha- 
verhill.    In  the  following  year  he  settled  at  the  Rocks; 
and  in  1645  he  was  licensed  to  keep  an  "  ordinary,"  or 
tavern — hence  the  name  of  "  Coffin's  ordinary."     Soon 
after,  his  wife,  Dionis,  was  presented  for  "  selling  beere  at 
3d    a   quarte,"    contrary  to   law,   which    required    four 
bushels   of  malt  to  the  hogshead,  and  that  it  should  be 
sold  at  2d.  per   quart.     Mrs.  Coffin,  however,  made  it 
appear  that  she  put  six  bushels  into  a  hogshead,  and  the 
Court  acquitted  her.     Two   of  his   children  died  in  this 
town,  and  two  were  born,  Mary  and  John.     Joan,  his 
mother,  died  in   Boston,  1661,  aged  77.     Mr.   Wilson 
preached   her  funeral  sermon,  and,  as  it  was  then  said, 
embalmed  her  memory.*     In  1649  he  removed  w  New- 
bury, thence  to  Salisbury,  where  he  projected  the  settle- 
ment   of  Nantucket,    purchased,  with    his    family,  four 
tenths  of  the  Island,  and  removed  there  with  four  of  his 
children  in    1662.     Mary,  who  was  born  in  this  town, 
married   Nathaniel    Starbuck,   at    Nantucket,    and    all 
accounts   agree  in  representing  her  as  an  extraordinary 
woman.     In  the  language  of  John  Richardson,  an  early 
writer,  "the  Islanders  esteemed  her  as  a  Judge  among 
them,  for  little  of  moment  was  done  without  her."     It 
was  her  custom  to  attend  their  town  meetings,  where  she 
took  an  active  part  in  the  debates,  usually  commencing 
her  address  with    "  my  husband  thinks"  so  and  so;   but 
Richardson   says,  that    "she    so   far   exceeded   him  in 
soundness  of  judgment,  clearness  of  understanding,  and 
an  elegant  way  of  expressing  herself,  and  that  not  in  an 
affected  strain,  but  very  natural  to  her,  that  it  tended  to 
lessen  the  qualifications  of  her  husband."     In  1701  she 
became  a  Quakeress,  took  the  spiritual  concerns  of  the 
the  whole  Island  under  her  special  superintendance,  was 
speaker  in  their  religious  meetings,  wrote  the  quarterly 
epistles,  and  was  distinguished  in  every  relation  in  life. 
Respecting   her   domestic   economy,    the   same   author 
observes  :   "the  order  of  the  house  was  such  in  all  the 
parts  thereof  as  I  had  not  seen  the  like  before;  the  large 
and  bright-rubbed  room  was  set  with  suitable  seats  or 
chairs,  [for  a  meeting]  so  that  I  did  not  see  any  thing 

*  Sewall's  Diary. 


21 

wanting  according  to  place,  but  something  to  stand  on, 
for  I  was  not  free  to  set  my  feet  upon  the  fine  cane  chair, 
lest  I  should  break  it."  The  descendants  of  Tristram 
Coffin  are  very  numerous,  and  among  them  is  the  dis- 
tinguished Admiral  Sir  Isaac  Coffin;  more  than  12,000 
of  that  name  are  now  in  the  United  States. 

Hugh  Sherrit  is  supposed  to  have  come  from  Salis- 
bury; he  lived  to  the  advanced  age  of  one  hundred,  and 
died  on  the  5th  of  September,  1678. 

William  White,  one  of  the  first  settlers,  and  whose 
name  is  attached  to  the  deed,  came  from  Newbury. 
His  wife  was  Mary  [blank] ;  he  died  28th  September, 
1690,  aged  80;  his  wife  then  removed  to  Ipswich,  where 
she  died  in  1693.  Mr.  White  settled  on  the  farm  now 
owned. by  Mr.  William  White,  and  we  find  that  he 
owned  a  farm  in  Newbury  in  1650.  Soon  after  the 
church  was  gathered,  he  became  a  member,  and  was 
one  of  its  firmest  pillars;  he  had  the  honor  of  the  town 
very  much  at  heart,  was  esteemed  by  its  citizens,  and 
was  frequently  entrusted  with  its  most  important  busi- 
ness. His  descendants  are  exceedingly  numerous,  and 
are  scattered  in  almost  every  direction  over  the  United 
States.  In  his  will,  which  is  dated  2d  January,  1683, 
he  says  :  ^'  I  give  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ward,  my  Teacher, 
in  Haverhill,  10s.  in  silver;  I  give  to  the  church  of  Ha- 
verhill, of  which  I  am  a  member,  the  linen  cloth  which 
is  on  the  communion  table,  and  one  of  the  pewter  dishes? 
which  was  mine,  which  was  used  at  the  sacrament,  and 
to  be  kept  for  that  use  only  so  long  as  it  may  serve  with 
decency  for  the  common  good  of  that  society.  My  will 
is,  that  the  girl  which  was  given  to  nie  by  the  girl's 
mother  to  breed  up,  if  my  wife  will  keep  her  untill  John 
White  [his  son]  marry,  let  her  keep  it,  otherwise  John 
White  to  put  her  out  to  sum  one  who  will  bring  her  up 
in  good  nurtour;  if  afterward  she  live  with  John  till  she 
is  18  years  of  age,  or  day  of  marriage,  the  said  White 
is  to  cloth  her  well  and  to  give  her  five  pounds.  I  give 
to  Edward  Brumidgo  a  cloth  jacket,  and  britches,  and  a 
shurt,  all  of  mine  own  wearing."  The  ajnount  of  his 
property  taken  after  his  decease,  was  ^508,  10s. 

Thomas  Davis  married  Christian  [blank],  in  Eng- 
land ;  he  settled  in  Haverhill  early  in  the  spring.     His 


22 

descendants  were  formerly  very  numerous  in  the  town, 
for  we  find  that  there  were  nineteen  famiUes  of  them 
before  1720. 

1643. 

This  year  the  Colony  was  divided  into  four  Counties, 
Essex,  Middlesex,  Suffolk,  and  Norfolk.  The  whole 
number  of  towns  in  the  Colony  was  thirty.  Norfolk 
was  composed  of  Salisbury,  Hampton,  Haverhill,  Ex- 
eter, Dover,  and  Strawberry  Bank,  [Portsmouth.]  The 
Courts  were  holden  at  Hampton.  Previous  to  this  di- 
vision, Haverhill  belonged  to  Essex.  It  remained  in 
Norfolk  until  1679,  when,  by  order  of  the  King,  Mas- 
sachusetts recalled  all  comr.::ssions  granted  for  govern- 
ing that  part  of  the  New-Hampshire  Province  three 
miles  north  of  JMerrimack  River.  *  Accordingly  the 
General  Court  of  Massachusetts,  4th  February,  1679, 
ordered  Haverhill  and  Salisbury  to  be  again  joined  to 
JEssex.  In  each  County,  there  was  one  regiment  of 
militia  commanded  by  a  Sergeant-Major. 

27th  March.  A  tract  of  land  containing  600  acres 
was  granted  by  the  Colony,  to  Mr.  Nathaniel  Ward, 
father  of  John  Ward,  "near  Pentuckett,  or  near  as 
conveniently  may  be." 

10th  May.  The  Court  granted  to  the  town  a  parcel 
of  meadow-land.  The  grant  says  that  it  was  "  a  parcel 
of  meadow-land  about  sixscore  acres  more  or  less,  west 
of  Haverhill  about  six  miles." 

The  first  lawful  town-meeting  was  holden  this  year, 
on  the  6th  November;  and  it  is  remarkable  that  the  first 
vote  passed,  was  to  prevent  an  unnecessary  destruction 
of  the  timber.  It  will  be  recollected  that  the  town  was 
then  covered  with  a  thick  and  heavy  growth  of  wood — 
that  an  untrodden,  and  seemingly  an  inexhaustible  wil- 
derness, stretched  itself  between  here  and  Canada.  In 
all  that  vast  and  unexplored  tract,  no  smoke  curled 
from  the  chimney  of  a  white  man — his  voice  was  not 

*  Hutchinson. 


23 

heard  amid  its  hills,  nor  were  the  prints  of  his 
footsteps  seen  in  its  vallies.  What  then  should  suggest 
to  our  fathers  the  idea  of  preserving  the  timber,  when 
they  could  turn  their  eyes  on  neither  side  without  be- 
holding immense  quantities  of  it  ?  They  probably  ex- 
pected that  their  descendants  would  rapidly  increase — 
that  the  forest  would  fall  before  them  like  grain  before 
the  reaper — and  that  their  dwellings  would  be  reared 
on  every  hill  and  valley. 

The  following  is  a  correct  copy  of  the  vote  : — 
"  Voted  that  no  man  shall  fall  or  cause  to  be  fallen  any 
timber  upon  the  Comon  but  what  he  shall  make  use  of 
within  nine  months  next  after  it  is  fallen  or  otherwise  it 
is  and  shall  be  forfieted."  At  the  same  meeting  they 
voted,  "that  there  shall  bee  three  hundred  acres  laid 
out  for  houselotts  and  no  more;  and  that  he  that  was 
worth  tv*o  hundred  pounds  should  have  twenty  acres  to 
his  houselott,  and  none  to  exceed  that  number;  and  so 
every  one  under  that  sum,  to  have  acres  proportionable 
for  his  houselott,  to  gether  with  meadow,  and  Common, 
and  planting  ground,  proportionably."  This  land  was 
laid  out  east  of  Little  River,  where  the  village  stands, 
and  was  called  an  ''  accommodation  grant." 

Richard  Littlehale  was  chosen  "  clerk  of  the  Writs," 
and  "town  Recorder."  He  continued  in  office  till 
1664.  The  Court  of  Writs  was  a  small  Court  estab- 
lished in  town  to  try  such  causes  as  did  not  exceed  forty 
shillings.  It  was  sometimes  called  the  Court  for  "  small 
causes;"  and  frequently  the  Clerk  of  the  Writs  and 
Tov/n  Recorder  were  filled  by  one  person. 


1644. 

At  a  Town-meeting,  holden  the  6th  of  February,  it 
was  voted,  "  that  all  landholders  shall  pay  all  publique 
rates  according  to  their  number  of  acres  that  they  hold 
to  their  houselotts;  and  if  any  man  shall  buy  one  acre  of 
meadow,  one  acre  and  halfe  of  planting  ground,  or  one 
acre  of  commonage  to  his  houselott,  he  shall  pay  proper- 


24 

tionably  for  evrey  acre  or  commonage  with  the  house 
iott." 

It  will  be  perceived  that  the  landholders  only  paid 
the  public  taxes,  and  that  each  man  was  rated  according 
to  the  number  of  acres  in  his  "  house-lot/'  and  not  ac- 
cording to  the  property  he  possessed. 

18th  Feb.  It  was  "  voated  that  Joseph  Merrie 
should  have  foure  acres  of  land  to  his  house  Iott,  with 
all  accommodations  of  Common  or  meadow  and  planting 
ground  proportionable."  "  Voated  to  Abraham  Tylor 
foure  acres  of  land  for  an  house  Iott,  with  Common  and 
meadow  and  planting  land  proportionable."  "  Voated 
that  Hugh  Sherratt  should  have  two  acres  more  added 
to  his  six  acres,  wiiich  he  hath  alreadie." 

It  appears  by  the  last  vote,  that  Hugh  Sherrit  had 
six  acres  granted  to  him  before,  but  no  record  can  be 
found  which  gives  an  account  of  it;  nor  is  there  any 
record  of  the  lands  laid  out  to  the  inhabitants  prior  to 
1643,  excepting  Mr.  Ward's.  Their  number  was  so 
small,  they  probably  deemed  it  unnecessary  to  record 
them. 

25th  Feb.  One  acre  more  was  added  to  the  house- 
lot  of  Henry  Savage. 

27th  Feb.  "Voated  that  Job  Clement  should  have 
a  parcell  of  ground,  not  exceeding  one  quarter  of  an 
acre  at  the  mill  Brooke,  being  bounded  forth  by  the 
Free-men  to  sett  him  up  a  tann-house  and  tann-fatts 
upon,  to  him  and  his  heires  forever." 

Mill  Brook,  as  it  was  then  called,  is  now  occupied 
by  Colonel  John  Woodman,  and  the  tannery  was  erected 
near  the  mouth  of  it.  Job  Clements  was  the  first  tan- 
ner in  town,  and  was  the  brother  of  Robert,  one  of  the 
signers  of  the  deed. 

19th  Sept.  "  Two  Churches,"  says  Hubbard, 
"  were  appointed  to  be  gathered,  the  one  in  Haverhill, 
the  other  at  Andover  (both  upon  Merrimack  river.) 
They  had  given  notice  thereof  to  the  magistrates  and 
ministers  of  the  neighboring  Churches,  as  is  the  manner 
with  them  in  New-England.  The  meeting  of  the  As- 
sembly was  to  be  at  that  time  at  Rowley,  (the  foremen- 
tioned  plantations,  being  then  but  newly  erected,  were 
not    capable  to  entertain  them  that  were   like   to    be 


25 

gathered  together  on  that  occasion.)  But  when  they 
assembled,  most  of  those  who  were  to  join  together  in 
church  fellowship  at  that  time,  refused  to  make  the  con- 
fession of  their  faith  and  repentance,  because,  as  was 
€aid,  they  declared  it  openly  before  in  other  Churches, 
upon  their  admission  into  them.  Whereupon  the  mes- 
sengers of  the  Churches  not  being  satisfied,  the  assem- 
bly brake,  before  they  had  accomplished  what  they 
intended.  But  in  October,  1645,  messengers  of  Chur- 
ches met  together  again,  on  the  same  account,  when 
such  satisfaction  was  given,  that  Mr.  John  Ward  was 
ordained  pastor  of  the  Church  in  Haverhill,  on  the 
north  side  of  the  said  Merrimack,  and  Mr.  John  Wood- 
bridge  was  ordained  pastor  of  the  Church  of  Andover, 
on  the  south  side  of  the  same." 

The  first  marriage  in  town  was  that  of  Job  Clement 
and  Margaret  Dummer,  who  were  married  on  the  25th 
December. 

Thomas  Dudley  was  chosen  to  succeed  Mr.  Win- 
throp  as  Governor  of  the  Colony.  He  came  from 
Northampton,  England,  where  he  had  been  a  Captain 
in  Queen  Elizabeth's  army;  and  afterwards  became  a 
non-conformist  to  the  Episcopal  Church.  On  his  arri- 
val into  this  country  he  was  appointed  Major-General 
of  all  the  militia  in  the  Province.  He  died  at  Roxbury, 
31st  July,  1G53,  aged  77. 

1645. 

The  singular  manner  in  which  many  of  the  votes  are 
recorded  is  quite  amusing.  The  following  is  correctly 
copied. 

14th  March.  "It  was  voted  by  the  freemen  and 
not  to  be  disannulled  w^^^  out  the  consent  of  every  free- 
man in  y^  plantation  that  every  inhabitant  may  keep  for 
every  acre  that  he  hath  to  his  house  lott,  either  an 
horse  beast,  ox,  or  cow,  w^'^  a  foale  or  calfe  w^^  a  yeare 
old,  a  two  yeare  old  and  a  three  yeare  old  untill  they 
shall  be   of  the  age  of  three  yeares  and  an  halfe,  upon 


(he  Commons  appointed  by  the  greater  part  of  the  free- 
men  and  no  more."  What  was  then  called  the  common^ 
ivcre  such  lands  as  were  not  granted  to  any  individual. 

This  year,  near  as  can  be  ascertained,  there  were 
thirty-two  landholders.  John  Ward,  Robert  Clement, 
Job  Clement,  John  Clement,  Joseph  IVIerrie,  Abraham 
Tyior,  Hugh  Sherrit,  Henry  Savage,  Christopher  Hus- 
sey,*  Daniel  Hendrick,*  John  Williams,*  Richard  Lit- 
tlehale,*  AViliiam  Butler,  John  Ayer,  sen.,  John  Ayer, 
jun.,  Joseph  Peaslee,*  William  White,*  John  Robin- 
son,* Henry  Palmer,*  Thomas  Davis,*  George  Corliss, 
Nathaniel  Wier,*y  James  Fiske,  Thomas  Hale,*  James 
Davis,  sen.,*  James  Davis,  jun.,*  John  Eaton,  Barthoi- 
oinew  Heath,*  Tristram  Cotiin,*  Daniel  Ladd,  Samuel 
Gile,*  and  John  Davis.*  - 

George  Corliss  settled  on  the  land  now  owned  by 
Ephraim  Corliss,  Esq.,  and  the  latter  gentleman  is  of 
thd  sixth  generation  of  his  descendants  who  have  lived  on 
file  same  farm.  John  Robinson,  in  1657,  bought  a 
liXase-lot  in  Exeter,  and  soon  after  moved  to  that  place. 

The  plantation  of  Haverhill  was  incorporated  into  a 
1'own. 

The  first  church  was  gathered  in  the  summer  of  this 
year;  it  consisted  of  fourteen  members,  eight  males  and 
six  females;  and  Mr.  John  Ward  was  ordained  their 
pastor.  Johnson,  an  early  writer,  says  : — '^  The  Town 
of  Haverhill  was  built  much  about  this  time,  lying  higher 
up  than  Salisbury  upon  the  fair  and  large  River  of  Mer- 
rimack :  the  people  are  wholly  bent  to  improve  their 
labor  in  tilling  the  earth  and  keeping  of  cattel,  whose 
)  early  increase  encourages  them  to  spend  their  days  in 
tiiose  remote  parts.  The  constant  penetrating  further 
into  this  Wilderness  hath  caused  the  wild  and  uncouth 
woods  to  be  filled  with  frequented  wayes,  and  the  large 
rivers  to  be  overlaid  with  Bridges  passeable  both  for 
horse  and  foot;  this  Town  is  of  a  large  extent,  supposed 
to  be  ten  miles  in  length,  there  being  an  overweaning 
desire  in  most  men  after  Medow  land,  which  hath 
caused  many  towns  to  grasp  more  into  their  hands  than 

*  Those  names  which  have  an  asterisk  attached  to   them,  wer*j 
§ro:r\  Newbury.         t  Uncertain  about  his  being  a  landholder. 


27 

they  could  afterward  possibly  hold;  the  people  are 
labourers  in  gaining  the  goods  of  this  life,  yet  they  are 
not  unmindful  also  of  the  chiefend  of  their  coming 
hither,  namely,  to  be  made  partakers  of  the  blessed 
Ordinances  of  Christ,  that  their  souls  might  be  refresh- 
ed by  the  continual  income  of  his  rich  grace,  to  which 
end  they  gathered  into  a  church-body  and  called  to 
office  the  reverend  Mr.  Ward,  son  to  the  former  named 
Mr.  Ward,  of  Ipswitch. 

With  mind  resolved  ran  out  thy  race  at  length, 
Yotu^g  WiU'd,  begin,  whereas  thy  father  left, 
Left  hath  he  not,  but  breaths  for  further  strength, 
jNV.r  thou,  nor  he,  are  yet  of  hope  bereft: 
Fruit  of  thy  labours  thou  shait  see  so  much, 
The  righteous  shall  hear  of  it,  and  rejoyce 
When  Babel  fcdls  by  Christ's  almighty  touch, 
All's  folks  shall  praise  him  with  a  cheerful  voice. 
They  prosper  shall  that  Zions  building  mend, 
Then  Ward  cease  not  with  toyle  the  stones  to  lay, 
For  great  is  he  thee  to  this  work  assigned, 
Whose  pleasure  is,  heavens  Crown  shdl  be  thy  pay."* 


1046. 

13tii  Jan.  It  v/as  voted  that  the  inhabitants  should 
have  liberty  to  make  one  hundred  pipe-staves,  on  the 
common,  for  every  acre  which  his  house-lot  contained; 
and,  "  that  they  should  fail  no  timber  within  two  miles 
of  any  of  the  house  lotts."  If  a  person  fell  a  tree  w^ithin 
the  prescribed  limits,  he  was  to  pay  five  shillings,  w^hicli 
was  to  be  appropriated  for  the  benefit  of  the  town;  or, 
if  he  fell  any  more  than  was  required  to  make  his  pro- 
portion of  staves,  he  was  to  pay  the  same  sum. 

W^e  hfive  reason  to  venerate  the  character  of  our 
ancestors.  They  were  not  mercenary,  or  unprincipled; 
they  were  not  warriors; — they  came  not  with  the  sword, 
to  exterminate  the  natives,  nor  to  lay  waste  their  green 

*  This  Church  was  the  twenty-sixth  which  was  gathered  in  th<= 
Colony,  and  the  Town  was  the  twenty-third  which  was  settled. — 
Pe-mberton's  MSB, 


28 

and  beautiful  wilderness,  and  leave  desolation  in  their 
path.  A  firm  belief  in  the  power  and  goodness  of  the 
Almighty  seems  to  have  governed  their  actions.  This 
sustained  their  hearts,  and  nerved  their  arms — this 
made  them  resolute  in  trouble,  and  humble  in  prayer. 
In  the  midst  of  the  wide  and  unbroken  forest,  their 
prayers  arose,  and  their  solemn  songs  were  wafted  on 
the  same  breeze  that  played  on  the  mountain-top,  and 
among  the  foliage  of  the  lofty  oak.  They  could  kneel 
on  the  banks  of  the  babbling  brook,  or  in  the  deep 
shade  of  the  trees,  to  worship. 

It  is  pleasing  to  observe  the  respect  and  veneration 
which  they  showed  to  Mr.  Ward,  their  Minister,  or 
Teacher,  as  he  was  more  frequently  called.  It  speaks 
volumes  for  the  christian  virtues  of  the  man,  and  the 
moral  character  of  his  people.  On  the  29th  October, 
"  all  the  freeholders  being  present,"  they  voted  that  Mr. 
Ward's  land  should  be  "rate  free"  during  his  life,  if  he 
continued  to  be  their  minister.  At  the  same  meeting 
they  voted  him  a  salary  of  forty  pounds  to  be  paid  in 
^'  wheat  and  Indian,"  and  his  wood  was  to  be  brought  to 
his  door,  ''and  cut  and  corded." 

At  this  meeting  the  first  selectmen  were  chosen;  they 
were  Thomas  Hale,  Henry  Palmer,  Thomas  Davis, 
James  Davis,  and  William  White. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  persons  who  settled  in  town 
as  early  as  this  year,  and  whose  names  are  not  before 
found.  Christopher  Hughes*  Stephen  Kent,t  Goodman 
Ormsbie,J  George  [blank,]  John  Page,  Robert  Swan, 
WilUam  Holdrige,  John  Chenarie,  Matthias  Button, 
James  Pecker,  Edward  Clai-k,  Peter  Aver,  Richard 
Singletary,!  George  Brown,  John  Hutchins,!  Henry 
Sawyer,  Thomas  Ayer,  Robert  Ayer,  Theophilus  Shats- 
well,  Goodman  Perrijj  Isaac  Cousins,  John  Woodin, 
Robert  Clement,  jun. 

Goodman  was  the  comm.on  appellation  among  the 
men,   excepting   when   they    addressed   their    minister, 

*  Those  iu  Italics  were  not  londliolders. 

t  Those  names  which  have  this  mark  after  them  were  from  New- 
bury. 

4:  "  Goodman"  was  not  his  given  name,  but  is  appUed  because 
tliat  i^  not  known. 


^9 

iTfiagistrate,  or  any  militia  officer  of  a  higher  grade  than 
Lieutenant;  to  whom  they  appUed  the  title  ot^  Mister. 
Gooclwife,  or  Goody,  were  the  terms  applied  to  women, 
excepting  when  they  addressed  the  wives  of  those  hefore 
mentioned,  whom  they  called  Madam;  and  the  appella- 
tion, Mrs.  was  placed  before  names  of  both  married  and 
unmarried  women,  when  it  was  written. 

Bartholomew  Heath,  Daniel  Ladd,  and  Daniel  Hen- 
drick,  were  made  freemen. 

A  stray  mare  was  taken  up  by  Robert  Clement,  sen., 
and  the  following  is  his  description  of  her: — "  She  is  a 
red  sorrell  with  a  little  white  star  in  her  forhead  and  a 
few  white  haires  on  her  left  showlder;  she  is  a  mare 
wich  hath  bin  riden." 

There  were  four  brothers  by  the  name  of  Ayer; 
John,  Robert,  Thomas  and  Peter.  The  three  former 
settled  near  the  house  now  occupied  by  Capt.  John 
Ayer,  2d ;  and  the  latter  settled  in  the  North-westerly 
part  of  the  town,  in  the  West  Parish.  Capt.  John  Ayer, 
2d,  is  the  sixth  generation  who  has  lived  on  the  same 
spot.  Their  descendants  are  very  numerous,  and  are 
scattered  throughout  every  State  of  the  Union.  In 
1700,  it  is  supposed  that  nearly  one  third  of  the  inhabi- 
tants in  this  town  were  of  that  name.  They  were  a 
fearless,  athletic  race  of  men,  and  were  mostly  cultiva- 
tors of  the  soil. 


1647. 

13th  Feb.  John  Ayer,  sen.  and  James  Fiske,  were 
fined  for  not  attending  town  meeting  in  season. 

The  inhabitants  petitioned  the  General  Court  for  a 
tract  of  land  to  enlarge  the  town.  The  following  is  the 
answer  of  the  Court,  which  was  holden  at  Boston,  27th 
October: — "  In  answer  to  the  petition  of  Haverhill, 
y^  Courte  concieving  such  vast  grants  to  be  greatly 
prejudicial  to  y^  publick  good,  and  little  if  at  all  advan- 


30 

iaoeous  to  particular  townships,  apprehending  4  miles 
square,  or  such  a  proportion,  will  accommodate  a  suffi- 
cient tract  of  land;  in  such  a  case  thinke  meete  a  Com- 
mittee be  chosen  to  view  the  place  and  returne  their 
apprehensions  to  y^  next  General  Courte,  to  which  end, 
with  the  petitioners  consent,  they  have  nominated  Mr, 
Dummer,  Mr.  Cailton,  John  Osgood,  and  Ensign  How- 
let,  or  any  two  of  them,  provided  Ensign  Howlet  be  one 
to  do  it.""* 

At  this  Court  a  law  was  enacted,  requiring  each 
Town  which  contained  fifty  families  to  establish  a  free 
school ;  and  those  vrhich  contained  one  hundred,  were 
ordered  to  keep  a  "  Grammarschool." 

At  this  early  period  the  town  was  destitute  of  a  bell; 
but  to  supply  this  defect  they  employed  a  queer  substi- 
tute. It  was  voted  that  ''Richard  Littlehale  should 
beat  the  drum  on  the  Lord's  day  morning  and  evening, 
and  on  lecture  days,  for  which,  and  also  for  writing  pub- 
lic orders,  he  is  to  have  30  shillings;  he  is  also  to  beat 
the  drum  for  town  meetings." 

George  Davis  was  presented  ''  for  unseemly  conduct 
tov/ards  his  first  wife's  daughter." 

Richard  Green  was  presented  for  "being  drunk." 

John  Brown  was  fined  30s.  for  striking  his  wife. 

The  Town  was  presented  for  being  destitute  of  a 
ferry. 

This  year  the  settlement  began  to  extend  northward. 
Grants  of  land  were  made  to  Henry  Palmer  and  others, 
in  the  plain  north  of  the  Pond-meadow.  A  few  houses 
had  been  built  near  the  spot  where  INIr.  Hale's  Factory 
now  stands;  and  George  Corliss  had  erected  a  log  house 
on  his  farm  farther  west. 

Thomas  Whittier,  of  Newbury,  came  into  Town  and 
brought  a  swarm  of  bees,  which  were  probably  the  first 
in  the  place.  They  were  willed  to  him  by  Henry  Rolte, 
of  Newbury,  who  says:  "  I  give  to  my  kinsman,  Thomas 
Whittier,  my  best  swarm  of  bees." 

Job  Clement  was  made  freeman. 

*  Richard  Dummer,  of  Newbury:  Edward  CarUon,  of  Rowley; 
John  Osgood,  of  Andover;  and  Ensign  Thomas  Howlet,  of  Ipswich 


31 


1648. 

The  population  of  the  town  had  increased  so  rapidly, 
that  it  was  thought  expedient  to  erect  a  house  for  public 
worship.  Previous  to  this,  it  is  presumed  that  they  assem- 
bled alternately  in  the  different  houses,  for  that  purpose; 
and  tradition  says,  that,  on  pleasant  sabbaths,  the  inhabi- 
tants were  wont  to  assemble  beneath  the  branches  of  a 
large  tree,  which  stood  near  the  burial  ground,  to  listen 
to  their  beloved  preacher.  On  the  3d  of  March,  the 
town  voted  that  "  the  Meeting  House  shall  stand  on  the 
lower  knowle  at  the  lower  end  of  the  Mill  Lot."*  The 
house  was  erected  and  finished  according  to  the  original 
design,  in  the  succeeding  autumn.  It  was  twenty-six 
feet  in  length,  twenty  feet  wide,  one  story  high,  and  des- 
titute of  a  gallery,  or  cupola. 

A  second  division  of  pipestaves  was  granted,  similar 
to  that  of  1646. 

Thomas  Hale,  Henry  Palmer,  and  Thomas  Davis, 
were  appointed  to  try  "  small  causes,"  under  forty  shil- 
lings. 

Hugh  Sherrit  was  put  under  bonds  for  good  beha- 
viour. 

At  the  March  term  of  the  Court,  the  town  was 
again  presented  for  being  destitute  of  a  ferry,  and  was 
ordered  to  provide  a  "  suitable  boat  within  six  months, 
or  pay  a  penalty  of  forty  shillings."  The  town  immedi- 
ately appointed  Thomas  Hale  to  keep  the  ferry,  and  the 
price  for  ferrying  was  established  at  '^  one  penny  for  a 
passenger,  two  pence  for  cattel  under  two  yeares  old, 
and  four  pence  for  such  us  were  over  that  age;"  it  was 
at  the  place  now  called  the  ferryway.  It  appears  that 
the  inhabitants,  before  this,  passed  over  the  river  at  the 
same  place,  but  no  regular  ferryman  was  appointed  until 
this  year. 

*  What  was  then  called  the  Mill  Lot,  is  the  present  burial  ground, 
and  the  adjoining  lot,  owned  by  Col.  John  Woodman.  Why  it  was 
called  by  that  name,  is  not  positively  known;  but  it  is  probable  that  a 
mill  was  erected  on  that  stream  very  soon  after  the  settlement  of  the 
town,  of  which  there  is  no  account — and  hence  the  name. 


32 

13th  Nov.  John  Ayer  and  Job  Clement  were  cho- 
sen grand  jurymen. 

"  Y^  Courte  being  informed  that  the  shoulders  of 
Haverill  are  destitute  of  any  officer  to  exercise  them, 
it  is  therefore  ordered  by  this  court  that  all  ye  inhabi- 
tants, who  have  a  right  to  vote  in  y^  election  of  officers, 
to  meete  and  choose  sum  mete  person  for  the  place  of 
sargent  to  exercise  them."  This  is  the  first  notice  we 
have  of  a  military  character;  but  it  cannot  be  positively 
ascertained  that  the  order  of  the  Court  was  put  into  exe- 
cution; and,  from  various  circumstances,  we  are  inclin- 
ed to  think  that  it  was  not. 


1649. 

The  town  was  ordered  by  the  Court  to  erect  a 
watch-house,  a  pound,  and  stocks,  immediately.* 

6th  April.  The  first  Constable  chosen,  was  James 
Fiske,  and  in  the  succeeding  autumn,  he  was  fined  6s. 
8d.  by  the  Court,  for  not  returning  "  the  warrants  for 
jurymen  in  season." 

18th  Feb.  A  part  of  sour-meadow,  so  called,  was 
granted  to  James  Davis,  sen.  and  James  Davis,  jun. 

This  year,  that  part  of  Rowley  called  JMerrimack, 
was  settled  by  John  and  Robert  Haseltine,  and  William 
Wild,  who  had  peculiar  privileges  and  immunities.  It 
was  incorporated  by  the  name  of  Bradford,  in  1673. 
What  is  now  Boxford,  was  then  called  "Rowley 
village."! 

*  We  have  never  been  able  to  find  any  vote  in  the  Town-Records 
relating  to  the  stocks,  or  whipping-post;  perhaps  our  fathers  were 
ashamed  of  them,  as  well  they  might  be.  But  that  such  abominable 
means  for  miiicting  punishment,  were  erected,  and  often  made  use  of, 
is  indisputable — for  many  of  our  elderly  citizens  can  remember  when 
they  stood  beside  the  present  Congregational  jNleeting-house,  a  terror 
to  the  despiser  of  thek  "  blue  laws,"  and  a  monument  of  disgrace. 

t  Coffin's  MSS. 


33 


1650. 

About  this  time  two  orchards  were  planted,  one  by 
John  Clement,  and  the  other  by  Stephen  Kent.  As 
near  as  can  be  ascertained,  the  former  was  situated  a 
few  rods  north  of  the  grave-yard,  and  the  latter  near  the 
house  where  Mr.  Samuel  W.  Ayer  now  lives. 

Two  barns  were  built  on  the  land  now  called  the 
''  Common,"  by  Bartholomew  Heath  and  Joseph  Peas- 
lee. 

22d  May.  The  bounds  between  Haverhill  and  Sal- 
isbury, were  ordered  to  be  laid  out  by  the  Court,  at  the 
request  of  the  inhabitants  of  Haverhill;  and  in  December 
following,  Thomas  Hale,  John  Clement,  and  John  Davis, 
were  appointed  to  "  meet  the  men  from  Salisbury  and 
lay  out  the  bounds  between  that  town  and  this." 

14th  Oct.  The  Court  passed  a  law  against  the  '^  in- 
tolerable excess  and  bravery"  of  dress.  No  person 
whose  estate  did  not  exceed  ,£200  was  permitted  to 
wear  any  gold  or  silver  lace  or  buttons,  great  [boots, 
silk  hoods,  ribbons  or  scarfs,  under  a  penalty  often  shil- 
lings. 

20th  Dec.  It  was  voted  that  the  name  of  every 
freeholder  should  be  kept  in  the  Town's  book,  and  that 
he  be  compelled  to  attend  town  meetings,  when  lawfully 
warned; — "  and  having  lawful  warning  he  is  to  come 
within  half  an  hour  after  the  meeting  is  begun,  and  con- 
tinue till  sunset  if  the  meeting  hold  so  long,  under  the 
penalty  of  halfe  a  bushel  of  Indian  corn  or  the  value 
of  it." 

Considerable  land  was  granted  to  individuals  west  of 
Little  River,  on  the  Merrimack;  and  Hugh  Sherrit, 
Bartholomew  Heath,  James  Fiske,  and  John  Chenarie, 
had  liberty  to  lay  down  their  land  in  the  plain,  "-and 
have  it  laid  out  over  Little  River,  westward." 

Three  fourths  of  an  acre  and  the  "  clay  pitts"  were 
granted  to  John  Hoit,  a  brick-maker,  if  he  would  be- 
come an  inhabitant  of  the  town.  This  is  the  first  notice 
we  have  of  the  clay  pits;  they  are  situated  in  the  West 
Parish,  near  Ephraim  Corliss,  Esqr's.  and  are  now  known 
by  that  name.     It  appears  that  the  pits  were  dug,  and 


34 

that  bricks  were  made  some  years  before ;  but  the  name 
of  the  person  who  carried  on  the  business  cannot  be 
ascertained. 

This   year  there  were  forty  freemen  in  town,  and 
nineteen  who  had  taken  the  oath  of  fidehty. 


1651. 

22d  Sept.  George  Brown  and  Daniel  Hendrick 
were  appointed  to  lay  out  the  highway  between  this  town 
and  Salisbury. 

21st  Nov.  Theophilus  Shatswell  was  appointed  to 
join  the  men  from  Rowley,  and  lay  out  a  road  between 
that  town  and  this.  This  road  was  approved  of  by  the 
Court,  at  Ipswich,  in  1686. 

1st  Dec.  Isaac  Cousins,  and  others,  petitioned  the 
town  for  liberty  to  build  a  saw-mill.  Their  petition  was 
granted;  but  they  were  restricted  from  using  any  timber 
within  three  miles  of  the  meeting-house,  on  the  common 
lands,  except  pine  and  hemlock ;  they  were  to  pay  every 
twelve-hundreth  board  ^'  to  the  use  of  the  town  in  Gen- 
eral;" and  the  town  also  reserved  to  itself  the  privilege 
of  purchasmg  merchantable  planks,  and  boards,  at  three 
shillings  per  hundred.  This  mill  was  erected  upon  Lit- 
tle River,  near  the  spot  occupied  by  Mr.  Ezekiel  Hale's 
Factory;  and  after  that,  the  stream  was  known  by  the 
name  of  Sawmill  Brook;  and  is  so  called  by  many  aged 
people  at  this  day. 

The  inhabitants,  whose  house-lots  extended  to  the 
Merrimack,  were  permitted  to  "  use  the  bank  for  a 
fence."  It  appears  that,  in  1643,  when  the  ''  accommo- 
dation grant"  was  surveyed  and  laid  out,  a  strip  of  land 
adjoining  the  river,  and  another  running  from  the  river 
to  the  spot  now  occupied  by  the  first  Parish  meeting- 
house, and  from  thence  to  the  present  location  of  Mr. 
Hale's  Factory,  was  reserved  for  a  road;  though  no  men- 
tion was  made  of  it  in  the  grant.  About  this  time,  the 
road  near  Mr.  William  White's,  was  laid  out;  and,  for 
more  than  a  century,  it  was  the  principal,  or  '^  great 
road,"  as  it  was  called,  which  led  into  the  village. 


35 


1652. 

7th  June.  The  second  division  of  plough-land  was 
granted  and  ordered  to  be  laid  out,  ''  after  the  proportion 
of  four  acres  to  an  acre  of  houselot."  This  division 
begun  at  the  head  of  pond-meadow,  and  extended  north, 
east,  and  west,  until  each  person  received  his  due  pro- 
portion. Forty-one  persons  received  accommodations 
in  this  division.  Five  lot-layers  were  appointed  to  lay 
it  out,  who  received  two  pence  an  acre  for  their  services. 

7th  Sept.  The  town  voted  to  Mr.  Ward,  their 
"  Teacher,"  a  salary  of  fifty  pounds.  This  sum,  which 
would  be  so  inadequate  for  the  support  of  a  clergyman 
at  this  period,  may  be  called  a  liberal  salary,  when  we 
consider  the  resources  and  circumstances  of  the  town. 
It  shows  their  strong  attachment  to  their  pastor,  and  their 
desire  to  promote  the  christian  religion. 

Another  curious  substitute  was  provided  for  a  belL 
Instead  of  having  the  drum  beaten,  it  was  voted,  'Hhat 
Abraham  Tylor  shall  blow  his  horn  in  the  most  conve- 
vient  place  every  lord's  day  about  half  an  hour  before 
the  meeting  begins,  and  also  on  lecture  days;  for  which 
he  is  to  have  one  peck  of  corn  *  of  every  family  for  the 
year  ensuing." 

Stephen  Kent  was  fined  10s.  ''  for  suffering  five  In- 
dians to  be  drunk  in  his  house  of  whom  one  was  wound- 
ed. He  is  to  pay  for  his  cure."  He  afterwards  peti- 
tioned the  Court  to  diminish  his  fine,  but  without  suc- 
cess. 

This  year  a  Mint  was  established  at  Boston,  for 
coining  silver;  the  pieces  had  the  word  Massachusetts, 
with  a  pine  tree  on  one  side,  and  the  letters  N.  E.  1652, 
and  III,  VI,  or  XII,  denoting  the  number  of  pence,  on 
the  other.  It  is  said  that  the  dies  for  coinage,  were 
made  by  Joseph  Jenks,  at  the  Iron  works  in  Lynn.t 

*Thi3  passage,  ''one  peck  of  corn,"  has  often  been  read  ''  one 
pound  of  pork,"  and  is  generally  believed  to  be  pork,  instead  of 
eorn;  but  if  any  person  will  examine  closely,  he  will  find  it  to  read 
corn,  instead  of  pork. 

t  Lewis'  Hist,  of  Lvnn.  H, 


36 


1653. 

It  was  voted  that  ''  John  Webster  should  enjoy  that 
SIX  acres  of  accommodation  which  was  formerly  granted 
unto  Isaac  Cousins,  and  is  now  returned  into  the  Town's 
hands;  provided,  that  the  said  Jolm  Webster  live  here 
five  years  from  the  last  of  INIarch  next,  following  the 
trade  of  a  blacksmith  in  doing  the  town's  work,  when 
they  have  occasion."  Mr.  Webster  was  the  first  black- 
smith in  town;  he  followed  the  trade,  however,  but  four 
years,  when  he  returned  to  Newbury.  His  brother, 
Stephen,  a  tailor,  came  into  town  soon  after,  from  New- 
bury; and  is  probably  the  ancestor  of  the  Websters  in 
this  place.  He  was  born  in  Ipswich,  and  moved  with 
his  mother,  who  married  John  Emery,  sen.,  to  Newbury. 
He  had  three  brothers  and  four  sisters.  His  brothers, 
John  and  Israel,  remained  in  Newbury,  and  Nathan 
settled  in  Bradford.  His  mother,  Mary,  was  a  sister  of 
Theophilus  Shatswell;  John,  his  father,  died  in  Ipswich, 
about  1642.*  The  descendants  of  Stephen  are  numer- 
ous as  the  "  leaves  on  the  trees;"  they  are  scattered  in 
almost  every  city  and  village  in  the  Union. 

It  seems  that  our  ancestors  liked  the  marshal  sound 
of  the  drum  better  than  the  tooting  of  Abraham  Tylor's 
dinner-horn;  for  it  was  this  year  laid  aside,  and  Edward 
Clark  was  ordered  to  beat  the  drum  again,  on  the 
^'  Lord's  days  and  lecture  days." 

A  second  division  of  meadow  was  ordered  to  be  laid 
out,  "  after  the  proportion  of  one  acre  to  two  acres  of 
houselot."  This  division  was  situated  in  Spiggot-mead- 
ow,  bordering  on  Spiggot-River,  near  the  meeting-house 
in  Salem,  New-Hampshire. 

The  Island  "  over  against  the  plain,"  was  ordered  to 
be  divided.  The  Island  referred  to,  is  the  one  now 
owned  by  David  How,  Esq.,  situated  three-fourths  of  a 
mile  below  Haverhill  bridge.  The  number  of  persons 
who  drew  lots,  was  forty-five. 

25th  Feb.  A  third  division  of  upland,  or  plough- 
land,  was  ordered  to  be  laid  out;  it  was  situated  west 
and  north  of  west-meadow,  in  the  West  Parish. 

*  Coffin's  MSS. 


37 

The  wife  of  John  Hutchins  was  presented  for  wear- 
ing a  silk  hood;  but,  "upon  testimony  of  her  being 
brought  up  above  the  ordinary  way  was  discharged." 
The  wife  of  Joseph  Swett  wfts  presented  at  the  same 
time  and  for  the  same  offence,  and  was  fined  10s. 

It  was  a  general  custom  of  the  inhabitants,  at  this 
early  period,  to  turn  their  flocks  together  into  one  pas- 
ture; and  we  find  that  James  George  was  appointed 
herdsman  for  the  town.  His  salary  was  twelve  shil- 
lings and  six  pence  per  week,  to  be  paid  "  in  Indian 
corn  and  butter.  *  #  #  *  i\q  [^  ^q  keep  y^  heard 
faithfully  as  a  heard  ought  to  be  kept;  if  any  be  left  on 
the  Sabbath  when  y®  towne  worship,  they  who  keepe 
are  to  goe  y^  next  day,  doing  their  best  indeavore  to 
find  them."  He  was  not  permitted  to  turn  his  flock  into 
the  pasture  on  the  Sabbath,  until  the  "  second  beating 
of  y^  drum," 

A  lot  of  land,  not  exceeding  four-score  acres,  was 
granted  to  the  proprietors  of  the  mill,  so  long  as  they 
kept  it  in  use. 


1654. 

9th  Feb.  Liberty  was  granted  to  Stephen  Kent  to 
place  a  wear  in  Little  River,  to  catch  alewives,  or  any 
other  fish,  if  he  would  sell  to  the  inhabitants  of  the 
town  "  what  alewives  they  stood  in  need  of."  This  is 
the  first  notice  v>^e  have  of  the  fisheries,  which  were 
afterwards  carried  on  to  considerable  extent. 

A  third  division  of  staves  was  granted. 

13th  Dec.  Some  additions  were  made  to  the  ox- 
common,  and  the  whole  was  ordered  to  be  enclosed  with 
a  suitable  fence;  "and  all  those  that  will  join  in  the 
fencing  of  it,  shall  have  a  proportion  in  it  according  to 
the  fence  they  make  and  maintain,  provided  that  none 
shall  keep  more  than  four  oxen  in  it."  Thirty-four 
persons  assisted  to  build  the  fence,  and  were  entitled  to 
keep  ninety-two  oxen  within  the  enclosure.  It  was  then 
voted  that  "the  cattel  that  shall  goe  in  the  ox-common 


38 

this  day  granted,  shall  be  only  oxen,  steers  and  horses, 
and  no  other  cattel."  This  is  the  first  notice  we  have 
of  an  ox-common,  though  it  appears  that  one  was  laid 
out  some  years  previous.  The  present  ox-common,  so 
called,  then  constituted  but  a  small  portion  of  it.  In  a 
few  years,  the  commoners,  as  they  were  designated,  be- 
came quite  numerous;  and  long  disputes  often  existed 
between  them  and  the  non-commoners,  which,  not  un- 
frequently,  ended  with  bloody  noses,  swollen  faces,  and 
a  dimness  of  the  optical  organs.  The  commoners  held 
meetings,  at  which  they  transacted  their  business,  and 
there  are  three  large  books,  consisting  of  about  260 
pages  each,  which  contain  their  proceedings. 

Commissioners  v/ere  appointed  by  the  General 
Court,  to  run  the  boundary  line  between  Haverhill  and 
Salisbury,  as  a  great  mistake  was  said  to  have  been 
committed  when  it  was  run  before.  The  Court  approved 
of  their  return;  but  it  appears  that  the  bounds  were  not 
permanently  settled,  and  that  the  parties  soon  became 
dissatisfied.  We  find  the  following  on  the  Colony  files, 
in  May,  1667.  "  As  a  fmal  issue  of  all  diflerences  be- 
tween the  two  towns  of  Haverhill  and  Salisbury  New- 
town, in  reference  to  their  bounds,  the  Court  having 
lieard  what  all  parties  could  say  therein,  judge  meet  to 
c'.onfirm  the  line  which  was  run  by  the  Committee  and 
the  agreement  of  both  towns,  beginning  at  a  tree  near 
Holt's  Rocks,  near  Merrimack  rivers'  side,  and  running 
up  on  the  ?i.  W.  line,  as  they  apprehended,  to  Brandy 
Brow,  and  from,  thence  to  Darby  Hill,  and  so  to  a  white 
pine  about  a  mile  farther,  marked  H.  S.  and  this  is  to 
be  the  dividing  line  between  them." 


3d  March.  Some  repairs  were  this  year  made  upon 
the  meeting-house,  r.nci  it  was  voted  that  "  Thomas  Da- 
vis shall  have  three  pounds  allowed  him  by  the  town,  for 
to  ground-pin  and  daw^b  it;  provided  that  Thomas  Davis 
provide  the  stones  and  clay   for  the  underpinnings;  the 


39 

town  being  at  their  own  expence  to  bring  y®  clay  into 
place  for  y^  pkistering  of  the  walls  up  to  The  beams." 

In  1648,  Thomas  Hale  was  ferryman,  probably  for 
that  year  only;  and  afterward  it  does  not  appear  that  any 
was  appointed;  for,  at  the  September  term,  "  Y*^  Courte 
being  informed  y^  there  is  no  fery  over  Merrimack  river, 
at  Haverill,  the  courte  orders  Robert  Haseltine  to  keepe 
a  fery  over  the  said  river;  and  to  have  of  strangers  4d  a 
person,  if  they  pay  presently;  and  6d  if  bookt;  and  to 
keepe  entertaynement  for  horse  and  man,  for  one  yeare, 
unless  the  General  Court  take  further  orQlers."  Robert 
Haseltine  lived  on  the  Bradford  shore. 

The  Constable,  Thomas  Davis,  carried  "  Stephen 
Kent,  Matthias  Button,  a-Butchman,  and  John  Mac 
Clary,  a  Scotchman,"  to  Court. 

Considerable  difficulty  arose  between  Mr.  Ward  and 
a  part  of  his  people,  concerning  his  salary,  which  was 
thought  by  the  latter  to  be  exorbitant,  while  he  m.ain- 
tained  to  the  contrary.  It  seems  that  the  difficulty  had 
become  so  great,  it  w^as  deemed  necessary  to  call  a 
council  of  the  neighboring  clergymen;  and  we  fmd  that 
the  Rev.  Mr.  [blank]  Norton,  was  chosen  by  the  first 
church  in  Boston,  on  the  14th  of  August,  to  attend  an 
ecclesiastical  council  in  Haverhill.  On  the  same  day 
the  "  Council  of  the  Commonwealth  took  into  consider- 
ation the  sad  contention  and  division  of  the  Churches  of 
Salisbury  and  Haverhill,  and  thereupon  thought  it  ne- 
cessary to  send  certain  Eiders  and  other  messengers  to 
compose  that  difference;  which,  through  the  blessing  of 
God,  upon  their  endeavours  is  in  a  good  measure  attain- 
ed, and  their  officers  *  settled  amongst  them,  which 
greatly  concerns  the  welfare  of  those  two  towns.  The 
Court  do  therefore  order  the  Constable  of  Haverhill  to 
levy,  by  way  of  Rate,  on  the  inhabitants  of  Haverhill  the 
sum  of  £12.  19s.  for  the  satisfying  of  Mr.  John  Clements 

*  JMinisters. 


40 

for  the  charges  expended  in  Haverhill.'^  The  like 
course  was  pursued  with  SaUsbury.  The  Town  Re- 
cords say  that,  on  the  28th  of  August,  it  was  voted  in 
Council  to  pay  Mr.  Ward  "  fifty  pounds;"  twenty  of 
which  were  to  be  paid  in  "  wheat,  Rye,  and  indian  corn." 
We  have  not  been  able  to  ascertain  any  further  account 
of  the  proceedings  of  this  Council,  nor  of  the  members 
who  composed  it. 

William  White  was  exempted  from  doing  military 
duty. 

This  year,  Michael  Emerson  came  into  town,  and 
settled,  at  first,  near  the  house  now  owned  by  Mr.  Wil- 
liam White.  The  grantees  told  him  that,  if  he  would 
'^  go  back  into  the  Vvoods,"  as  they  then  called  it,  they 
would  give  him  a  tract  of  land.  He  accordingly  moved, 
and  settled  between  Little  River  and  the  house  now  oc- 
cupied by  his  descendant,  Capt.  Nehemiah  Emerson. 


Goodman  Simons  was  appointed  to  keep  the  ferry 
on  the  ^'  Great  River."  If  he  had  only  a  canoe  he  was 
to  ferry  a  single  person  for  two  pence,  and  cattle  for 
four  pence  a  head;  but,  if  he  provided  a  suitable  boat, 
his  price  should  be  established  at  six  pence  per  head 
for  cattle,  two  pence  for  sheep  and  hogs,  and  three 
pence  for  strangers. 

6th  March.  Liberty  was  granted  to  Thomas  Hutch- 
ins  to  set  a  wear  in  the  Merrimack,  near  the  falls,  for 
the  purpose  of  catching  fish.  He  was  to  supply  the 
town  w^ith  '^  every  kind  of  fish  he  might  catch  for  what 
recompence  it  could  afford."  The  works  were  to  be 
finished  by  April,  1659,  or  the  grant  was  to  be  consid- 
ered void. 

It  was  voted  that,  if  any  person  moved  into  town 
and  was  not  a  freeholder,  yet  partook  of  the  benefits  of 
the  ^'  church  and  commonwealth,'^  he  should  assist  in 
paying  the  public  taxes,  according  to  his  "  visible  es- 
tate, or  by  estima.tion. " 


41 


17th  Jan.  A  third  division  of  meadow  was  granted, 
and  ordered  to  be  laid  out  before  the  fifteenth  of  May 
next,  at  the  rate  of  half  an  acre  to  an  acre  of  accommo- 
dation.     Forty-one  persons  drew  lots  in  this  division. 

At  the  same  meeting  it  was  voted  that,  if  any  person 
had  no  convenient  road  to  his  upland,  or  meadow,  upon 
his  complaint  to  the  town,  two  men  were  to  be  chosen 
to  lay  one  out,  whose  charges  should  be  defrayed  by 
the  town. 

It  appears  that  the  inhabitants  suffered  considerably 
for  the  want  of  a  blacksmith.  To  obviate  this  difficulty, 
a  contract  was  signed  by  Mr.  Ward  and  nineteen  others, 
in  which  each  agree  to  pay  Mr.  Jewett  his  proportion 
of  twenty  pounds,  to  purchase  his  house  and  land, 
which  the  contractors  gave  to  John  Johnson,  "  provided 
he  live  here  seven  years,  following  the  trade  of  a  black- 
smith in  doing  the  town's  work;  also,  the  said  John 
Johnson  doth  promise  to  refuse  to  work  for  any  that 
refuse  to  pay  towards  this  purchase,  untill  they  bring 
under  the  Selectmen's  hands  that  they  will  pay."  This 
house  stood  on  the  ground  now  occupied  by  the  man- 
sion of  the  late  Hon.  Bailey  Bartlett,  who  is  a  lineal 
descendant  from  John  Johnson.  He  is  likewise  the  an- 
cestor of  the  Johnsons  in  this  town. 

Joseph  Peasly  was  fined  40s.  by  the  Court,  for 
beating  Peter  Brown,  and  20s.  for  abusing  Timothy 
Swan — all  to  be  paid  in  "  corne."  * 

*  A  friend  of  ours  thinks  that  the  sentence  of  the  Court  would 
sound  better  in  the  following,  which  he  wrote  for  us. 

Because  you  whipped  old  Timothy  Swan, 
Please  pay  your  fine  m  indian  cojne ; 
Just  twenty  shillings  must  you  pay. 
And  that  without  the  least  delay. 
Also,  for  beating  Peter  Brown, 
Pay  forty  shillings  quickly  down. 
4* 


4^ 


1650. 


14th  Oct.  A  fourth  division  of  upland  was  ordered 
to  be  laid  out  beyond  Spiggot  River,  now  in  Salem, 
New-Hampshire,  at  the  rate  of  twenty  acres  to  an  acre 
of  accommodation.  This  division  was  ordered  to  be 
bounded,  south  by  the  Merrimack,  north  by  Shatswell  s 
pond  west  by  the  town's  bounds,  and  to  run  eastward 
until  'the  lots  were  all  drawn.  It  was  divided  mto  forty- 
nine  lots,  and  forty-six  were  taken  up;  they  were  laid 
out  a  mile  in  length. 

23d  Nov.  It  was  ordered  that,  if  a  town  meetmg 
was  publickly  warned  on  a  Lecture  day,  it  should  be 
considered  a  sufficient  notice.  It  was  likewise  voted 
that  no  man  should  be  taken  into  the  town  as  an  inhabi- 
tant, or  "town   dweller,    without   the    consent    ot    the 

The  population  had  increased  so  rapidly,  that  the 
meeting-house  was  found  too  small  and  inconvenient  to 
accommodate  the  worshippers.  To  lessen  this  evil,  the 
town  appointed  a  committee  of  four,  and  gave  them 
power  to  enlarge  and  repair  the  house  according  to  their 
best  discretion;  "  and  to  finish  it,  and  make  seats  in  it, 
and  also  to  sell  land  for  to  pay  the  workmen,  not  ex- 
ceeding twenty  acres  in  the  cow-common.''* 

27th  Nov.  Daniel  Ladd  and  Theophilus  Shatswell, 
hadliberty  to  erect  a  saw-mill,  on  Spiggot  River.  They 
accordingly-built  one,  soon  after,  near  tliat  which  is  now 
owned  by  Mr.  Clement,  in  Salem,  N.  H.  This  was  the 
first  mill  erected  on  that  stream;  and  the  proprietors  of 
it   were   obliged  to  pay   live  pounds  per  annum  to  the 

town.  ^  ,  .        1  /-     TT. 

Somntime  this  year,  John  Clement  shipped  for  ±.ng- 
land,  and  on  his  outward  voyage  was  cast  away  and 
drowned.  At  the  September  term,  Robert,  his  brother, 
applied  to  the  Court  to  be  appointed  administrator  of  his 
estate.     This  is  the  first  notice  we  have  of  an  adminis- 

^Thi^isthe  first  nofice  we  have  of  a  cow-common:  it  appears 
that  one  was  laid  out,  but  no  record  was  made  of  it.     llie  present 
as  it  is  called,  then  constituted  a  part  ot  it. 


common, 


43 

tratorship,  and,  for  this  reason,  we  have  copied  the  fol- 
lowing from  the  Court  files. 

^' John  Clements  late  of  Haverhill,  bemg  by  God  s 
providence  cast  away  and  dying  intestate,  the  worships 
ful  Mr.  Samuel  Symonds,  and  Major  General  Demzen 
the  Clarke,  being  present,  granted  admmistration  unto 
Robert  Clements  of  the  estate  of  John  Clements  deceas- 
ed he  to  bring  an  inventory  to  Ipswich  Court  next,  ana 
then  the  Court  to  take  further  orders." 

In  the  following  year,  10th  May,  Rober  Clement 
"  brought  in  an  accompt  to  this  court  of  his  charges  ex- 
pended in  his  voiage  to  England  and  Iceland,  his  bro- 
Iher  John,  his  wife  and  children;  and  upon  the  lequest 
of  his  brother  Job  and  Sisters,  the  court  confirmed  the 
administration  unto  Robert  Clements  of  the  estate  of  his 
brother  John  Clements." 


1660. 


.30th  August.  James  Davis  and  Theophilus  Shats- 
well  were  chosen  "to  answer  the  waiTant  of  the  General 
Court,  concerning  the  bounds."  The  town  granted 
them  each  ten  groats  a  day.  v       .  • 

The  town  seems  to  have  been  rather  negligent  m 
providing  a  regular  burial  place,  though  we  may  F^- 
sume  that  the  dead  were  buried  on  the  spot  which  was 
afterwards  appointed  for  that  purpose.  On  the  30th 
November,  it' was  ordered  that  the  land  ''behind  the 
Meeting  house  should  be  reserved  for  a  burial  ground. 

Ten  acres  of  meadow,  and  two  l^^^ndred  acres  of 
upland,  were  granted  for  a  parsonage,  to  Mr.  Ward  and 

his  successors.  ,       .i  .•4.-         r 

A  second  ox-common  was  granted  to  the  petition  ot 
six  persons.  It  was  situated  between  Merrie  s  Creek 
and  a  small  brook  which  issues  from  West-meadow. 
Eighteen  oxen  were  kept  upon  it.        ,,.,,,,,,  • 

The  first  public  school  was  established  about  this 
time-  the  instructer  was  Thomas  Wasse,  whose  salary 
was   ten   pounds   per   year.     He  also  taught  school  m 


44 


Chebacco  parish,  [Ipswich]  and  at  Newbury.     He  died 
at  the  latter  place,  Aug.  18,  1691. 

Up  to  this  time,  a  period  of  twenty  years,  there  had 
been  recorded  nineteen  marriages,  one  hundred  and 
thirty-five  births,  and  thirty  deaths. 


1661. 

The  road  near  "huckleberry-hill"  was  laid  out. 

The  ox-common  was  divided  into  two  parts;  the  di- 
vision line  run  north  and  south.  Those  who  lived  east 
of  Mill  Brook,  enjoyed  their  privileges  in  the  eastern 
part;  and  those  who  lived  west  of  the  brook,  enjoyed 
the  opposite  part. 

A  fourth  division  of  meadow  was  granted,  and  fifty- 
one  lots  were  drawn. 

1<I6'2. 

This  year  the  first  militia  company  was  organized. 
William  White  was  chosen  Captain,  and  Daniel  Ladd, 
Lieutenant.  So  early  as  1648,  the  inhabitants  were  or- 
dered by  the  Court  to  choose  a  Sergeant  to  '^  exercise 
them."  We  are  very  doubtful  whether  this  order  was 
promptly  obeyed;  but,  allovring  that  it  was,  no  company 
was  collected  and  organized  until  this  year. 

The  town,  at  this  period,  was  intolerably  infested 
with  wolves,  that  nightly  prowled  around  the  farms 
and  destroyed  large  numbers  of  sheep.  The  County 
and  Colony  had  offered  large  premiums  for  every  wolf's 
head  ;  and  this  year,  the  town,  to  induce  the  In- 
dians to  assist  in  destroying  so  powerful  an  enemy, 
voted,  "  that  if  any  Indian  shall  kill  a  wolf  in  Haverhill 
bounds,  he,  or  they,  shall  have  for  every  wolf  so  killed, 
forty  shillings." 

Michael  Emerson  was  appointed  to  assist  the  men 
from  Newbury,  to  lay  out  the  high-way  between  that 
town  and  this. 


45 


Hugh   Sherrit  was   permitted  to  keep  an  ordinary, 
and  to  sell  "  strong  water  and  wine  by  retad."* 


It  was  voted  that  there  should  be  a  general  Town- 
meeting  holden  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  March,  annu- 
ally Previous  to  this  they  had  no  annual  meetmg;  but 
each  one  was  generally  adjourned  to  some  specified 
time,  and  the  inhabitants  were  notified  by  the  selectmen 

The  selectmen  were  authorised  to  sell  a  quantity  ot 
land,  to  pay  the  expense  of  building  a  pound.  Ihis 
was  the  first  building  of  the  kind  erected;  it  was  built 
of  wood,  and  stood  nearly  in  the  lot  of  land  now  occupi- 
ed for  a  grave-yard. 

William  Simons  was  appointed  to  keep  the  lerry. 


It  was  voted  that,  ''  if  any  man  in  this  town  should 
kill  a  wolf,  or  wolves,  he  shall  be    paid,  by   the   town, 

forty  shillings."  r^  -r»         j  ;i 

Mr  John  Carlton  was  chosen  Town  Recorder  and 
Clerk  of  the  Writs;  he  continued  in  office  till  1668. 

An  old  manuscript  states  that  there  were  sixty-four 
freemen  in  town  this  year;  the  list  begins  with  Mr. 
Ward  our  preacher."  ,.    ,     i  -j  ^„f.   u 

Another  cow-common  was  oraered  to  be  laid  out,  ii 
extended  from  Little  River  to  a  place  then  called  IN  orth- 
meadow,  and  from  thence  to  East-meadow. 

^  It  is  a  fact  that  our  earliest  ancestors,  when  they  spoke  of 
ardent  spirits,  invariably  called  them  "  strong  water;  and  jve  da 
not  remernber  of  seeing  the  words,  rum,  gm,  or  brandy,  at  any  peri- 
od before  1700.  The  only  terms  they  used,  were  "  strong  water 
and  wine." 


46 


1065. 

A  road  was  ordered  to  be  laid  out  from  ^'  Holts 
Rocks,"*  just  below  the  present  Rock's  Bridge,  to  the 
Country  bridge,  in  the  East-meadow. 

It  was  voted  that  Mr.  Ward,  with  three  others, 
''should  plan  and  seat  the  inhabitants  of  Haverhill  in 
the  seats  built  in  the  meeting  house." 

"  In  answer  to  the  petition  of  the  inhabitants  of  Ha- 
verhill, the  Court  Judgeth  meet  to  allow  and  confirm 
their  choice  of  Mr.  Nathaniel  Saltonstall  to  be  their 
Capt.  and  George  Brown  to  be  their  Ensign. "| 


Elizabeth  Sherrit  was  licensed  to  keep  an  ordinary. 

6th  March.  A  Committee  was  chosen  to  lay  out  a 
parcel  of  land  on  which  Mr.  Ward  might  build  a  barn. 
It  was  built  on  the  upper  side  of  Hawke's  meadow-brook. 
Mr.  Ward  owned  a  part  of  that  meadow. 

"  It  was  this  day  voted  cind  granted,  y*  John  Hutch- 
ins  shall  have  lybertie  to  beuld  a  gallerey  at  y*'  westend 
of  y^  meeting  house,  and  to  take  any  of  y^  inhabitants 
of  y6  towne  to  joyne  with  him,  provided  y*  he  give  not- 
tise  to  y^  towne  wheher  he  will  or  noe  y^  next  training 
day,  soe  y*  any  of  y®  inhabitants  of  ye  towne  y*  hath  a 
minde  to  joyne  with  him,  may  give  in  their  naimes; 
and  y^  there  is  none  but  y^  inhabitants  of  y^  towne  is  to 
have  any  interest  in  y^  said  gallerry." 

John  Barnard  and  his  wife  were  fined  for  incon- 
tinency;  the  man  was  fined  £3,  and  the  woman  4s. 

The  Court  fined  John  Carlton  <£3,  for  striking 
Robert  Swan  '^  several  blows,  and  Robert  Swan  30s.,  for 
striking  John  Carlton  several  blows."  J 

*  Holt's  Rocks  were  so  called  from  one  Nicholas  Holt,  one  of  the 
first  settlers  of  Newbury,  and  who  afterwards  settled  in  Andover. 

t  Court  Files. 

t  The  Court  determined  to  make  sure  work,  by  fining  both 
parties.  Perhaps  it  would  be  as  well  if  the  Courts  of  the  present  day, 
m  such  cases,  would  follow  the  example. 


47 

1667. 


A  highway  was  ordered  to  be  laid  out  '^  down  the 
valley  to  Holt's  Rocks,"  and  those  who  made  use  of  it 
were  ordered  to  keep  it  in  repair. 

-^^^^ 

1608, 

The  town  continued  to  be  exceedingly  jealous  for 
the  timber;  almost  every  year  a  vote  was  passed  for  its 
preservation,  and  this  year,  a  fine  of  ten  shillings  was 
imposed  upon  any  person,  who  should  fall  a  white,  red, 
or  black  oak-tree,  within  the  town's  limits,  "  for  staves, 
heading,  logs  for  boards,  or  any  thing  else  for  transpor- 
tation, without  leave  from  the  Select  men  h'om  year  to 
vear." 
'      The  first  General  Fast  was  holden  this  year. 

John  Griffin  was  permitted  to  keep  the  ferry;  he 
lived  in  Bradford. 

3d  March.  Nathaniel  Saltonstall  was  chosen  lown 
Recorder  and  Clerk  of  the  Writs;  he  continued  in  office 
until  1700. 

In  answer  to  a  petition,  the  Court  authorised  '  Capt. 
Nathaniel  SaUonstall  to  joyne  persons  in  marriage." 

1669. 

2d  March.  It  was  ordered  that  a  list  of  the  voters 
should  be  read  at  every  town-meeting,  and  if  any  one 
did  not  appear  and  answer  to  his  name,  who  was  law- 
fully warned,  should  pay  a  fine  of  eighteen  pence, 
which  was  to  be  appropriated  to  the  use  of  the  town — 
^'  any  former  order  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding." 

Upon  a  complaint  made  by  Mr.  Ward  for  want  of 
wood,  it  was  voted  to  add  ten  pounds  to  his  salary, 
(which   was    fifty   pounds,)    and    that    the    selectmen 


48 

should  annually  expend  it  in  procuring  him  cord-wood, 
at  six  shillings  per  cord. 

3d  March.  At  an  adjourned  meeting,  the  town 
passed  the  following  singular  vote: — "The  town,  by  a 
major  vote,  did  make  choice  of  Andrew  Greely,  sen.,  to 
keep  the  ferry  at  Haverhill;  provided  that  he  agree  and 
will  carry  over  the  Inhabitants  of  the  town,  and  the  in- 
habitants of  the  town  of  Merrimack,  [Bradford]  over 
against  us,  for  three  pence  an  horse,  and  a  penny  a 
man;  and  that  he  will  carry  all  Ministers  over  free  that 
come  upon  visitation  to  us,  and  in  particular  ]\Ir.  Symes; 
and  that,  if  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  over  against  us 
do  come  over  to  meet  with  us  on  the  sabbath  days,  they 
shall  have  the  free  use  of  the  ferry  boat,  or  boats,  for 
the  occasion,  without  paying  any  tbing,  =?!=***  =jf 
*  *  and  that  he  shall  give  the  widow  Simons  forty 
shillings."  * 

A  highway  was  laid  out  from  Topsfield  to  Haverhill. 

29th  July.  A  Committee  was  chosen  to  build  a 
bridge  over  Little  River,  where  Hale's  Factory  now 
stands.  It  was  voted  that,  "  when  any  of  the  Inhab- 
itants being  warned,  by  one  of  the  Committee,  to  appear 
at  the  works  of  said  Bridge,  and  cometh  not,  nor  brings 
with  him  such  implements  as  he  hath  fitting  for  the 
work,  shall  be  fined  as  followeth: — for  the  absence  of  a 
man  one  day,  five  shillings;  for  a  yoke  of  oxen,  two 
shillings  and  sixpence,  and  so  proportionably."  This 
was  the  first  convenient  bridge  built  over  the  stream; 
and  it  appears  that  all  the  inhabitants  were  obliged  to 
contribute  a  certain  portion  of  labor  tov/ards  construct- 
ing it. 


1670, 

1st  March.  It  was  resolved  that  no  vote  should  be 
valid  that  was  passed  after  sunset.  An  excellent  regu- 
lation, and  we  wish  that  it  had  been  adopted,  and  con- 
tinued in  force,  in  every  town. 

*  Widow  Simons'  husband  was  the  former  keeper  of  the  ferry. 


49 

1671.  -;,^.. 

A  thatched  house,  belonging  to  Matthias  Button, 
was  burnt  *  He  was  a  Dtrtehman,  and  quite  a  migrat- 
ina  animal.  He  lived  in  the  village,  in  the  western  part 
oHhe  town,  in  the  eastern,  and  finally  settled  near  the 
house  now  owned  by  Thomas  West,  Esq.,  where  his 
house  was  burnt.  He  died  in  the  followmg  year.  Ihe 
Rev.  Mr.^Cobbett,  of  Ipswich,  called  him  "  old  Button. 

7th  March.     Robert  Emerson  and  his  wife,  brought 
an  orphan  child  of  Richard  and  Hannah  Mercier's,  into 
the  Meeting,  and  desired  the  town  "  to  provide  for  it; 
which  it  voted  to  do.  t       ,  • 

Liberty  was  granted  to  John  Haseltine,  or  to  any 
other  man,  to  build  a  corn-mill  upon  "  Sawmill  River," 
or  upon  the  East-meadow  River. 


1679. 

7th  March.  The  town,  prior  to  this,  had  been  des- 
titute of  a  school-house;  but,  at  this  meeting,  it  ordered 
one  to  be  built  near  the  meeting-house,  which  was  also 
used  for  "a  watchhouse,  and  the  entertainment  of  such 
persons  on  the  sabbath  days  as  should  desire  to  repair 

thither." 

The  Selectmen  were  ordered  to  prepare  a  store-room 
in  the  Meeting-house,  to  secure  the  town's  powder,  and 
'^  all  other  amunition."  ^      ,    ^ 

Simon  and  Samuel,  two  Indians,  were  fined  five 
pounds  by  the  Court,  ^'  for  stealing  Englishmen's  horse." 
Simon  made  his  principal  residence  in  this  town,  but 
frequently  migrated  to  Amesbury  and  Newbury. 

Many  of  the  laws  enacted  by  our  ancestors  were  of 
a  most  ludicrous  character.  Among  them,  was  one,  pro- 
hibiting a  man  from  living  alone,  or,  in  other  words, 
forbidding  him  to  five  a  bachelor; — but  John  Little- 
hale,  it  seemsj^was  not  afiected  by  the  glowing  descrip- 

*  Court  Records. 


50 

tions  which  the  advocates  of  matrimony  would  fain  im= 
pose  upon  the  honest  bachelor;  for  we  are  told  that  he 
stoutly  resisted  this  law,  and  "  lived  in  an  house  by 
himself."  When,  however,  he  arrived  at  the  age  of 
twenty-two,  his  neighbors,  feeling  a  friendly  concern 
for  his  welfare,  and  a  patriotic  regard  for  legal  enact- 
ments, began  to  think  it  high  time  for  him  to  enter  into 
a  condition  "  for  better  for  worse;"  and  not  perceiving 
that  he  gave  any  indications  of  the  matrimonial  mania, 
sued  him  at  the  law  for  living  a  "  solitary  life,"  as  ap- 
pears by  the  following  order  of  Court  : — 

*'  At  a  Courte  holden  at  Hampton,  8th  of  8th  mo. 
This  Court  being  informed  that  John  Littlehale  of  Ha- 
verhill, liveth  in  an  house  by  himself  contrary  to  the  law 
of  the  Country  whereby  hee  is  subject  to  much  sin;  and 
having  had  information  of  some  of  his  accounts  Mhich 
are  in  no  way  to  be  allow 'd  of  but  disproved  and  dis- 
countenanced, doe  therefore  order  that  the  said  John 
doe  forthwith,  at  farthest,  within  the  time  of  six  weeks 
next  after  the  date  hereof  remove  himself  from  the  said 
place  and  solitary  life  and  settle  himself  in  some  orderly 
family  in  the  said  towne  and  bee  subject  to  the  orderly 
rules  of  family  government  in  said  family  (unless  hee 
remove  out  of  the  said  towne  within  the  time)  and  if 
he  doe  not  perform  this  order  as  abovesaid  then  this 
Courte  doth  order  that  the  Selectmen  doe  forthwith  or- 
der and  place  the  said  John  to  bee  in  some  orderly 
family  as  abovesaid,  which  if  he  shall  refuse  to  submit 
unto,  then  these  are  in  his  majesties  name  to  require 
the  Constable  of  said  town  upon  his  knowledge  of  it,  or 
information,  to  apprehend  the  person  of  said  John  and 
carry  him  to  the  house  of  correction  in  Hampton,  there 
to  bee  kept  and  sett  to  work  untill  hee  shall  be  freed  by 
order  of  authority;  and  this  order  shall  bee  a  discharge 
and  security."* 

*  In  the  remarks  which  precede  this  order  of  Court,  it.  is  stated 
that  there  was  a  law  prohibiting  a  man  from  living  alone,  or,  in 
other  words,  forbidding  him  to  live  a  bachelor.  That  there  was 
a  law  which  prohibited  a  jnan  from  living  alone,  is  evident  from  the 
order  itself,  which  says: — liveth  in  an  house  by  himself  contrary 
to  the  law  of  the  Country.  We  have  no  knowledge  of  one 
^vhich  expressly  forbade    a    nian    to    live    in    a    state    of  celibacy, 


51 

He  probably  removed  to  some  "  orderly  family," 
but  lived  a  life  of  celibacy  until  he  arrived  at  the  ad- 
vanced age  of  sixty-six,  when  he  married,  and  became 
the  father  of  two  children. 


The  town  seems  to  have  been  rather  parsimonious  in 
paying  the  Selectmen  for  their  services, — for  we  iind 
that  it  granted  them  an  annual  stipend  of  only  fifty 
shillings,  which  was  to  be  distributed  among  them, 
"  to  each  man  according  to  his  services." 

Nathaniel  Emerson  was  admonished  by  the  Court 
for  '^  being  in  company  with  Peter  Cross,  and  others,  at 
Jonas  Gregory's  and  drinking  of  stolen  wine." 


1@T4. 

4th  March.  A  viewer  of  staves  and  boards  was  ap- 
pointed,— the  first  of  which  we  have  any  account. — 
At  the  same  meeting  a  person  was  hired  to  sweep  the 
Meeting-house. 

4th  July.     The  bounds  of  Haverhill  were  again  run. 

Robert  Swan  was  fined  20s.  for  ''being  drunk  and 
cursing." 

Michael  Emerson  was  fined  5s.  "  for  his  cruel  and 
excessive  beating  of  his  daughter  with  a  fiayle  swingel, 
and  kicking  of  her." 

though  the  law,  which  prohibited  him  from  Hving  a  "  solitary  life," 
in  this  case,  was  made  to  bear  upon  that  point.  John  Littlehale, 
for  aught  that  can  be  found,  was  a  man  of  good  morals;  and  this  is 
the  only  time  that  he  was  prosecuted — at  least,  we  can  find  no  other 
order  against  John  Littlehale  upon  the  Court  Files.  Why  then 
was  he  prosecuted  ? — because  he  was  guilty  of  living  a  "  solitary 
life;"  or,  in  other  words,  (the  remark  may  he  safely  applied  in  this 
case)  of  living  without  the  pale  of  matrimony.  These  statements 
are  made,  because  the  remarks  which  precede  the  order  have  been 
objected  to  by  one  or  two  persons  whose  opinions  we  highly  value. 


52 


The  town  still  continued  to  be  very  jealous  for  its 
timber.  At  a  meeting  holden  on  the  4th  of  February, 
a  long  act  was  passed,  forbidding  any  person  to  cut  tim- 
ber of  any  description  on  the  common,  for  the  purpose 
of  transportation,  under  the  penalty  of  20s. 


It  was  voted  that  the  annual  town-meetings  should 
be  holden  on  the  last  Tuesday  in  February,  instead  of 
the  first  Tuesday  in  March. 

19th  Feb.  The  inhabitants  began  to  think  seriously 
of  taking  measures  to  defend  themselves  from  the  In- 
dians. It  appears  that  a  fortification  was  built  around 
the  Meeting-house  some  years  previous;  but,  owing  to 
the  open  and  peaceable  conduct  of  the  savages,  it  was 
suffered  to  fall  into  decay.  They  had  heretofore  lived 
in  security,  and  it  seems  that  an  unrestrained  intercourse 
had  existed  between  many  of  them  and  the  natives. 
They  old  I^Ot  hesitate  to  mingle  with  them,  and  even  to 
admit  them  into  their  dwellings;  but  the  Indians  now 
began  to  show  symptoms  of  hostility,  and  the  whole 
town  became  considerably  alarmed.  At  a  meeting 
warned  expressly  for  the  purpose  of  concerting  measures 
to  prevent  the  threatened  danger,  it  w^as  voted  that  "the 
Selectmen  shall  forthwith  cause  the  fortifications  (around 
the  Meeting-house)  to  be  finished,  to  make  port  holes  in 
the  walls,  to  right  up  those  places  that  are  defective  and 
likely  to  fall,  and  to  make  a  flanker  at  the  east  corner, 
that  the  work,  in  case  of  need,  may  be  made  use  of 
against  the  common  enemy."  At  the  same  time,  Dan- 
iel Ladd,  Peter  Ayer,  and  Thomas  Whittier,  were  ap- 
pointed to  designate  what  houses  should  be  garrisoned; 
and  the  "  old  brush  and  top  wood"  on  the  common,  was 
ordered  to  be  burnt. 

Two  daughters  of  Hanniel  Bosworth  were  fined  10s, 
each,  for  wearing  silk.     The  fine  was  remitted  in  1677. 

Hannah  Button  was  sentenced  by  the  Court  to  be 
whipped,  or  pay  a  fine  of  40s.  for  misdemeanors.     Dan- 


53 


iel  Ela  was  fined  10s.  for  '^swearing,"  and  2s.  for  his 
'^reviling  speeches." 

1676. 

The  Selectmen  were  ordered  to  remove  the  pound 
from  the  grave-yard,  to   a  "more  suitable  and   conve- 

""IriXe  before  this,  the  General  Court  passed  a 
law  prohibiting  the  Indians  from  gomg  a  mile  ^^^^  ^h^^^ 
wi-wams  This  year  they  were  permitted  to  gather 
^"clr^'nuts  and  o^her  nuti  in  the  wilderness,"  if  two 
white  men  went  with  each  company,  whose  charges 
were  to  be  borne  by  the  Indians. 

^d  May  Ephraim  Kingsbury  was  killed  by  the  In- 
dians He,  it  is  believed,  was  the  first  person  slam  m 
'his  town  b;  the  savages;  but  the  incidents  connected 
with  his  death  are  buried  m  oblivion. 

On  the  3d  of  May,  Mr.  Thomas  Kimball  of  Brad- 
ford, was  killed  by  the  Indians;  and  ^^^  wife  Mary,  and 
five  children,  Joanna,  Thomas  Joseph,  P^sc^Ua  ^^^ 
John,  were  captivated.*  The  Indians  were  led  on  by 
Simo'n,  an  Indian,  who  made  his  principal  residence  m 
this  town,  t 

*'Rpv  Gardner  Perry's  Discourse.  ^  ,.        u 

tit  s'eems  that  Mrs^  Kimball  soon  after  returned  from  her  cap- 
tivity   but  by  what  means,  we  have  not  ascertamed.     Probably  her 
S^nllso^rlrr^ed,  as  Mr.  Perry  says    -thing   to    t-^^^^^^^^^^ 
Soon  after  Mrs.  Kimball's  return,  she  addressed  the  tollovvmg  pen 
fion  to  the  Governor  and  Council,  which  is  correctly  copied  from  the 
original. 

""^^Th/  S;if  ;etr:  :fMarTKfball  sheweth  that  Simon  the 
Indiln  wL  k  led'Cl-band,  /homas  Kimball,  hath  threatened  to 
Mil  me  aud  my  children  if  ever  I  goe  to  my  own  house  so  that  1 
dale  not  L  to  looke  after  what  little  I  have  there  left,  for  fear  of 
mTlife  bein-  taken  away  by  him;  and  therefore,  doe  humbly  entreate 
he  Hon  Governor  and  Councell  that  some  course  may  be  taken  as 
God  shall  direct,  and  your  wisdoms  shall  think  best,  to  secure  him; 
for  I  am  in  continual  fear  of  my  life  by  him;  and  if  any  course  may 
be  tZn  for  the  recovery  of  what  is  yet  left  m  their  hands  of  my 


54 


1677. 

The  property  of  Hugh  Sherrit,  an  old  man  whose 
name  is  attached  to  the  deed,  was  illegally  taken  from 
him;  and  he  was  obliged  to  apply  to  the  town  for  sup- 
port. The  town  agreed  with  Peter  Brown  to  keep  him 
for  five  shillings  per  week,  one  moiety  of  which  was  to 
be  paid  in  breadstuff,  and  the  other  in  meat.  We  should 
suppose  that  money  was  a  scarce  article  in  those  days, 
for  the  principal  currency  of  the  town  was  grain,  butter, 
meat,  or  land.  We  copy  the  following,  believing  it  will 
be  interesting  to  many  of  our  readers. 

"Upon  Peter  Brown's  conclusion  to  keep  Hugh 
Sherrat,  a  motion  was  made  to  the  inhabitants  to  know 
who  would  lend  corn,  or  meat,  to  the  town,  for  the  sup- 
ply of  Hugh  Sherrat;  and  they  to  be  paid  by  the  next 
town  rates;  and  several  engaged  as  followeth: — Robert 
Emerson,  Bacon;  Joseph  Emerson,  Beef,  61b.;  Daniel 
Ela,  Beef,  121b.;  Samuel  Gile,  Beef,  61b.;  Henry 
Kingsbury,  Indian,  1*;  John  Page,  jun.  1  Ind.  and 
meat,  2lb.;  Thomas  Eaton,  18lb.  meat  or  corn;  Robert 
Ford,  jun.  1-2  Indian;  Bartholomew  Heath,  Pork,  4lb.; 
Thomas  Davis,  Pork,  41b.  Butter,  lib.;  Michael  Emer- 
son, Pork,  4lb.;  Thomas  Whittier,  Turnips,  1 ;  Rob- 
ert Ayer,  Pork,  61b.;  Daniel  Hendrick,  meat,  21b.; 
Peter  Ayer,  31b.  meat,  or  corn;  Thomas  Ayer,  jun.  lib. 
meat." 

Daniel  Ela  was  licensed  to  keep  an  ordinary  for  one 
year;  but  the  small  pox  breaking  out  in  his  family,  he 
was  unable  to  sell  his  liquors,  and  he  petitioned  the 
Court,  at  the  fall  term,  to  extend  his  license.  The 
Qourt  gave  him  liberty  to  sell  "  wine,  liquore,  Beere, 
Cyder,  and  provisions  to  horse  and  man,  or  travilers  in 
Haverhill." 

Bartholomew  Heath  was  presented  for  "two  acts  of 
drunkenness." 

goods  that  they  have  not  destroyed  (as  there  was  two  kittells  and 
two  or  three  baggs  of  linnen  when  I  came  from  them)  that  I  might 
have  it  restored,  leaving  myself  and  my  concemes  under  God,  to  your 
wisdoms.  Remaine  your  humble  suppliant.     Mary  Kimball." 

*  Meaning  one  bushel  of  Indian  Com. 


55 


At  this  time  there  was  but  one  Post  Office  in  Mas- 
sachusetts Colony,  which  was  at  Boston.  John  Hay- 
ward  was  appointed  Post  Master  for  the  Colony,  on  the 
3d  December. 


1678. 

23d  Dec.  Benjamin  Page,  a  child  4  years  of  age, 
was  so  scalded  with  hot  water,  that  he  died  in  a  few 
hours. 


1679. 

24th  Feb.     The  town  passed  the  following  vote: 

*^Upon  the  request  of  Benjamin  Webster  and  Samuel 
Parker,  two  young  men  and  shooemakers,  that  the  towne 
would  give  them  libertie  to  live  in  this  towne  to  follow 
the  trade,  having  hired  a  house  to  that  end;  the  towne 
by  then-  vote  doe  grant  their  motion,  and  accept  of  them 
so  as  to  live  in  towne  and  follow  the  trade  of  shooemak- 
mg." 

We  have  taken  considerable  pains  to  ascertain  the 
name  of  the  first  shoemaker,  and  the  time  he  came  into 
town;  but  we  have  not  been  able  to  learn  that  any  worked 
at  the  trade  before  this,  and  we  are  inclined  to  think  that 
Benjamin  Webster  and  Samuel  Parker,  were  the  first 
who  had  served  a  regular  apprenticeship  at  the  trade 
and  estabhshed  themselves  in  this  town.  No  doubt 
shoes  were  made  many  years  before  this,  but  probably 
every  farmer  could  cobble  a  little,  and  almost  every 
man  was  a  cobbler.  "^ 

1680. 

Peter  Pette  was  presented  for  being  "absent  from 
his  wife  several  years."     We  cannot  blame  him  much 
tor  It  IS  believed,  that  she  was  a  termagant   creature^ 


5Q 
nnd   a  common  scold.     la  the  following  year  he  was 

""Daniel  Ela  was  fiaed  10s.  for  selling  "  drink"  with- 

""'MrlvS-d,  the  hardv  and  fearless  pioneer  of  civili- 
zation into  the  untrodden  wilderness  of  P™tucket,- 
whose'voke  first  sounded  the  praises  and  J»dg"^em^  °[ 
the  unse^  but  terrible  Jehovah,  on  the  then  shaded 
banks  of  he  beautiful  Merrimack,-had  now  become 
sea  ed  and  decrep.d  wUh  age.     Time  had   ?^o^ 

r^So^t^'^tur^ef^:.'-^ 

ed  the  blasts  of  an  hundred  wmters,  and  ^U  ose  t.unk ^s 
silently  but  rapidly  crumbhng  to  the  dust.  It  vvas 
d  emi^d  cxpedie'nt  iy  the  town  to  P'ocu.^  an  ass^^^t 
for  him  and  a  committee  was  chosen  fm  that  pm  pose 
The  ™le  reads  thus:-"  And  taking  the  advice  of  ou 
present  minister,  to  look  out  for,  to  agree  -  '>,  a"^  P'-o 
raTe-  S  r  MV^Tarrfur  InKr  in 
hfs  old  a|e    in  the' work  of  the  ministry  m  preachmg. 


1681. 

o4th  June      A  gallery  was  ordered  to  be  immediate- 

,,  ^^.  "^n:lli" '^CitrharnS 

accommodation   of  the  ^^«^^"-  ^^^n  to  accom- 

ent?     But  it  was  voted  down,  to  use  the  woru» 
~It  will  be  vecoUected  that  John  Hutohins  was  permitted  to  buUd 
a  gallery  in  the  west  end. 


d7 

Recorder, — '^  by  the  additional  and  wilful  votes  of  many 
prohibited  by  law  from  voting." 

The  town  officers  had  generally  been  chosen  by 
nomination,  but  it  was  this  year  voted  that  the  select- 
men should  be  chosen  in  future,  ^'  by  the  putting  in  of 
papers." 


1683. 

The  inhabitants  extended  an  invitation  to  Rev.  Jere- 
miah Gushing,  of  Hingham,  to  settle  among  them  as  an 
assistant  to  Mr.  Ward.  Not  hearing  any  thing  from 
him,  a  messenger  was  ordered  to  be  despatched  immedi- 
ately to  procure  his  answer,  or,  "to  get  him  to  bring  it 
himself"  On  the  13th  of  November,  "at  a  general 
town-meeting  called  by  the  Selectmen  to  treat  further 
in  order  about  the  settlement  of  Mr.  Jeremiah  Gushing, 
Thomas  Whittier  was  chosen  Moderator,  who,  declar- 
ing his  inability  to  serve  through  sickness,  was  discharg- 
ed, and  Mr.  William  White  was  legally  chosen  Modera- 
tor for  this  present  meeting* — nomine  contradicente  vel 
aiium  proponente. 

Thus  the  French  King,  with  twenty  thousand  men. 
Went  up  a  hill,  and  then  came  down  agam. 

The  meeting  for  the  time  is  at  an  end." 

This  was  all  that  was  effected  at  the  meeting;  no 
vote  was  passed,  but  we  conclude  that  there  was  consid- 
erable discussion,  and  probably  it  was  rather  violent. 
The  excitement  appears  to  have  been  great,  and  Mr. 
Gushing  very  wisely  refused  to  accept  of  their  invita- 
tion. 

A  committee  was  chosen  to  re-build  the  bridge  over 
Lijttle  River,  it  "being  by  the  great  flood  of  waters 
much  damnified." 

Daniel  Ela  was  prosecuted  by  his  wife,  and  the 
Court  ordered  him  to  pay  her  40s. 

John  Page  was  licensed  to  keep  an  ordinary;  and 
at  the  next  Court  he  was  fined  40s.  for  selhng  "  drink 
to  Indians." 

William  White  was  licensed  to  sell  cider  for  three 
years, 


5^; 


58 

11183, 


The  people  began  to  talk  considerably  of  building  a 
new  Meeting-house,  but  there  was  great  dissention 
concerning  the  spot  on  which  it  should  stand.  One 
party  strenuously  contended  that  the  site  of  the  old  one 
was  the  most  convenient,  while  the  other,  which  was 
much  the  strongest,  as  strenuously  opposed  it.  At  a 
meeting  holden  on  the  13th  of  June,  a  question  was  put 
to  vote,  "  whether  the  order  of  the  town  made  March 
3,  1648,  for  the  settlement  of  the  meeting  house  place, 
should  be  adhered  unto,  and  the  house  to  be  continued 
there?"  A  paper  was  presented  to  the  Moderator, 
signed  by  fifteen  persons,  who  were  in  favor  of  having 
the  new  house  erected  where  the  old  one  stood;  and 
another  was  presented,  signed  by  twenty-seven  persons, 
who  were  opposed  to  it.  On  the  margin  of  the  last 
paper,  was  the  following  note: — "  We,  the  above  writ- 
ten, are  not  for,  but  against  the  setling  of  a  meeting 
house  where  the  meeting  house  now  stands,  forever- — 
but,  that  the  meeting  house  that  now  is  may  stand  as 
long  as  convenient."  It  was  something  like  settling  a 
minister  for  life. 

A  complaint  was  made  against  John  Keezar,  for 
keeping  his  tan-vats  open,  by  which  means,  some  cattle* 
and  swine  belonging  to  his  neighbors,  had  been  destroy- 
ed. ''  The  Moderator,  in  y^  name  of  y^  towne,  did  pub- 
liquely  give  s*i  Keezar  a  caution — warning  and  admon- 
ishing him  upon  his  perill  to  secure  his  tan-yard  and  tan 
fatts  that  no  damage  be  done  by  him,  to  other  mens  or 
his  owne  creatures;  and  in  speciall  that  mischeif  may 
not  come  unto  children,  w^<=  may  occasion  his  owne  life 
to  come  upon  triall." 

Daniel  Ela,  who  was  a  coarse,  unprincipled,  hard 
hearted  man,  w^as  prosecuted  by  William  White,  for 
turning  his  wife  out  of  doors  in  a  snow-storm,  and 
shamefully  abusing  her.  The  following  deposition  of 
one  of  his  neighbors,  will  exhibit  his  character. — 
''  Goodman  Ela  said  that  Goodman  White  was  an  old 
knave,  and  that  he  would  make  it  cost  him  souse  for 
coming  to  him  about  his  wife,  and  meddling  about  that 


59 

which  was  none  of  his  business.  He  said  that  she  was 
liis  servant  and  his  slave;  and  that  she  was  no  woman, 
but  a  devil  in  woman's  apparel;  and  that  she  should 
never  come  into  his  house  again;  and  that  he  would 
have  her  severely  whipped,  but  that  it  would  be  a  dis- 
grace to  him." 

Another  deposition  said  that   Ela  called  his  wife  a 

^'^ h,"  and  she  returned  the  compliment  by  calling 

him  a  '^roirue." 


1684. 

27th  Oct.  A  third  committee  was  chosen,  consist- 
ing of  '^  Corporal  Peter  Ayer,  Corporal  Josiah  Gage, 
and  Robert  Swan,"  to  procure  a  minister. 

More  respect  was  shown  to  the  office  of  a  corporal, 
by  our  unsophisticated  fathers,  than  is  now  shown  to 
that  of  a  General. 

Abraham  Whittaker  and  his  wife  were  presented,  for 
''  absenting  themselves  from  the  public  service  of  God 
on  the  Lord's  day." 

Simon  Wainwright  was  permitted  to  sell  "  liquors 
out  of  doors." 


1685. 

24th  Jan.  This  was  an  exceeding  cold  day;  in  Bos- 
ton it  was  "  so  cold  y^  sacremental  bread  was  frozen 
pretty  hard  and  rattled  sadly  in  y^  plates."* 

23d  Feb.  The  act  allowing  40s.  for  every  wolfs 
head,  and  which  was  continued  till  now,  was  repealed; 
for,  having  heard  that  Amesbury  people  had  repealed 
theirs  a  short  time  previous,  it  was  supposed  that  it 
might  be  a  temptation,  if  continued,  for  many  to  assert 
that  the  woK  was  killed  in  Haverhill,  rather  than  in 
Amesbury;  or  to  decoy  and  kill  it,  within  the  bounds, 
to  obtain  the  reward.  We  hardly  think  these  men 
(deemed  it  good  policy  to  place  temptations  before  a  per- 


\ 


■"■  Sewall's  Diary. 


60 


son,  to  see  how  long  and  how  well  he  would  resist  them 
—at  least,  they  were  unwilling  to  try  it  m  this  case. 

James  Chadwick  was  hired  to  keep  the  school;  he 
was  the  second  master. 

The  Colony  laws  were  promulgated  by  beat  ot  drum. 

The  town  petitioned  the  Court  for  liberty  to  put 
*^  the  vonge  ones  to  sarvice,  such  as  are  not  able  to 
maintaine  themselves."  The  petition  was  granted  n 
they  could  obtain  the  approbation  ot  the  "  \\  orshipiul 
Nath'l  Saltonstall  Esq."  , 

The  road  from  Amesbury  to  this  place,  was  laid  out 
by  order  of  the  town.  The  following  is  a  synopsis  of 
the  return  of  the  Committee  appointed  for  that  purpose. 
-We  have  laid  out,  and  sufficiently  marked,  the  Coun- 
try hicrhway  between  Haverhill  and  Amesbury,  four 
rods  wide,  lying  from  Amesbury  meeting-house  to  the 
widow  Bette's;  from  thence  to  country  Bridge  in  the 
east-meadow,  and  from  thence  to  the  meeting-house 
A  part  of  this  route  was  travelled  long  before  this,  and 
was  frequently  called  a  ''bridleway." 


1686 


We  find  the  following  among  the  records  of  deaths, 
births  and  marriages:-"  Ehzabeth  Emerson,  smgle- 
woman,  had  Dorothy,  born  April  .10-86;  and  a  second 
time  though  never  married.  Twins,  born  May  8-91 
X'were^oth  made  away  with  pnvately,  and  fou  d 
dead  May  10—91."  The  Recorder  then  says:—  The 
Mother  ky  long  in  prison,  but  at  the  long  run,  m  he 
yef  169l'  as  f take  I,  was  executed  at  Boston  for  the 
murthering  of  the  two  babes,  or  one  of  them.   T 

""1  TretecJ^deTis  correct.  The  author  has  seen  a  record  of  her 
trial  In^lf:^  over  the  evidences,,,  and  con  and  -  one  can  m. 
ncrine  anv  thin*-  more  obscene  than  many  of  them,  i^ie  aeea  lor 
Sh The  sufi?.red,  was  truly  horrid;  but  the  -an  who  wa^^  .r^med 
and  named  Samuel  Ladd,  by  what  could  be  collected  tiom  the  e^i 
deles  was  equally  guilt};  at  least  he  was  no  better  at  heart,  and  he 
sS'ehher  have  been  Lecuted  at  her  side,  or  severely  punished. 
Si  of  which,  however,  was  done,  as  the  author  can  learn. 


61 


1687. 

It  was  ordered  that  no  '^  dams  or  wards"  should  be 
built  across  Sawmill,  or  any  other  river,  so  as  to  stop 
the  free  passage  of  the  fish. 

A  bounty  of  15s.  was  voted  to  any  person,  who  should 
kill  a  full  grown  wolf  within  the  town's  bounds. 

The  town  deeming  it  expedient,  "  for  the  sake  of 
back,  belly  and  purse"— so  says  the  Recorder — to  keep 
a  stock  of  sheep,  empowered  the  Selectmen  to  provide  a 
place  in  the  outskirts  of  the  town,  where  they  might  be 
conveniently  pastured.  They  were  to  warn  the  inhab- 
itants to  appear  at  the  designated  spot,  with  suitable 
tools,  to  clear  it  of  the  wood  and  brush,  and  prepare  it 
for  the  above  purpose.  Any  person  who  was  warned, 
and  did  not  appear  accordingly,  was  to  pay  a  fine  of 
two  shillings  per  day. 

25th  Oct.    Richard  Singletary  died,  aged  102  years. 


1688. 

It  is  evident,  from  the  language  of  the  Recorder, 
that  some  epidemic  prevailed  about  this  time,  though 
we  have  no  other  account  of  it.  He  says: — *'  it  being 
apparent  that,  by  the  death  of  many  persons  in  this  town, 
some  of  the  seats  are  thined  in  the  meeting  house." 
The  Selectmen  were  ordered  to  place  other  persons  in 
their  seats. 

The  Selectmen,  or  some  other  persons,  were  gener- 
ally appointed  to  seat  the  people  in  the  meeting-house* 
A  few  only,  enjoyed  pews,  or  seats,  exclusively  for 
themselves;  and  this  privilege  was  generally  confined 
to  the  most  wealthy  and  respectable.  The  two  sexes 
were  not  permitted  to  seat  themselves  promiscuously  in 
the  house  of  worship;  but  the  males  occupied  one  part, 
and  the  females  the  other.  Our  ancestors  were  sedate, 
orderly,  and  sober-spoken  men,  who  loved  to  follow  the 
rules  of  decorum  in  all  things,  deeming  it  almost  an  un- 


62 


pardonable  sin  for  men  to  ogle  the  women  and  be  seated 
elbow  to  elbow  with  them,  in  the  house  of  God.  t.ould 
they  have  had  the  power  of  looking  into  futurity,  and  ot 
^eeins  their  degenerate  posterity  assembled  to  worsmp, 
as  is  now  the  custom— the  well-dressed  and  sober  hus- 
band beside  his  meek  and  comely  wife,  and  the  beardless 
Touth  beside  the  blushing  and  innocent  maiden— how 
'would  their  hearts  have  been  pained  to  see  them  wan- 
dering so  carelessly  from  the  paths  which  they  had  de- 
voutlv  and  perseveringly  trod. 


16S9. 


About  this  time  there  was  a  revolution  in  the  govern--^ 
ment  of  the  Colony,  and  the  Council,  -  for  the  safety  ot 
tlie  people  and  the  preservation   of  peace,      w  nch  was 
.^onvened  at  Boston,  on  the  2d  of  May,  deemed  it  expe- 
dient to  hold   a  consultation  with  the  people  generally. 
\  circular  was  sent  to  each  town,  advising  it  to  choose 
-some  discreet  person,  or  persons,  not  exceedmg  two 
to  assemble  at  Boston  on  the  9th  inst.    at  two  o  clock 
P   M      The  town  met  on  the  sixth,  and  made  choice  ot 
l\ir.  Peter  Aver  to  represent  it  in  the  Council 
^      A  question  was  agitated  at  a  meetmg  holden  on  the 
o4th  of  jMarch,  about  the  state  of  the  town,  and  its  abil- 
ity to  defend  itself  against  the  enemy.     But  little,  how- 
ever, was  said,  and  the  meeting  was  adjourned  suie  die. 
The  Indians,  for  some  time  past,  had  been  hovering 
ever  the  town  in  such   a  mamier  as  kept  the  inhabitan  s 
in   continual   alarm.     Small  parties  were   almost   daily 
vecn  traversing  the  adjacent  woods,  and  sly^'  approach- 
in'   he  farm-houses  in  search  of  plunder.     The  Iriendly 
infercourse   that  had   existed  so  maiiy  y^^^"^  .between 
them  was  broken,  and  open  hostility  succeeded.     So 
early  as     1675,  the  fortifications   around  the   meeting- 
house were  repaired,  and  in  the  following  year  we  find 
that   Ephrain.   Kingsbury  was   ^^-^^  ^ut  \t  ^I^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
summer  of  this  year  that  they  commenced  the  .^o.ko^^ 

murder   and  desolation  in   good    earnest     Jh?   *^;"4 
^ava-e  sharpened  his  knife  and  tomahawk  for  the  ^^olk 


ss 

of  blood,  and  glutted  his  imagination  with  the  atrocities 
he  should  commit.  The  war  began — the  fierce  and  in- 
human contest  on  the  part  of  the  savages.  It  proceed- 
ed, and  what  deeds  of  valor  were  performed — what  acts 
of  cliivalry  graced  the  lives  of  our  Fathers!  The  plaid- 
ed  Higldander,  armed  with  his  claymore  and  battle-axe, 
was  not  more  heroic;  the  stern  and  determined  patriot, 
who  rallied  beneath  the  banner  of  Wallace,  was  no  bra- 
ver; the  enthusiastic  Crusader,  who  fought  and  bled  on 
the  plains  of  the  Holy  Land,  never  exhibited  a  more 
fearless  and  undaunted  spirit.  Some  of  their  deeds  have 
been  emblazoned  on  the  page  of  history;  but  many 
of  them,  until  novv^,  have  been  permitted  to  rust  hi 
obscurity. 

There  was  but  little  genuine  bravery  among  the  sav- 
ages; and  in  fact,  v/e  do  not  recollect  one  instance  of 
the  kind,  on  their  part,  where  pure,  high-souled  and 
chivalrous  courage  was  displayed,  during  the  whole  war, 
a  period  of  nearly  thirty  years.  But  they  were  gener- 
ally cruel,  vindictive  and  treacherous.  Such  aged  and 
infirm  persons  as  were  unable  to  perform  a  journey 
through  the  wilderness,  were  generally  despatched.  In- 
fants, soon  as  they  became  troublesome,  had  their 
mouths  filled  with  burning  embers,  or  their  brains  dash- 
ed out  against  the  nearest  stone,  or  tree.  But  we  have 
one  thing  to  record  which  speaks  highly  in  their  favor; 
that  is,  the  modesty  with  which  they  generally  treated 
their  captive  women.  We  do  not  recollect  of  but  one 
instance  *  where  they  attempted  to  abuse  their  chastity 
in  word,  or  action.  | 

*This  was  in  the  case  of  Mrs.  Hannah  Dustin,  when  her  captovs 
told  her  that  she,  and  her  companions,  must  be  stripped  naked, 
and  ran  the  gauntlet. 

t  Testimonies  in  favor  of  the  savages,  in  this  particular,  are  very 
frequent.  Mary  Rowlandson,  who  was  taicen  prisoner  at  Lancaster 
in  1675,  says  in  her  narrative,  (page  55,) — "  I  have  been  in  the 
midst  of  these  roaring  hons  and  savage  bears,  that  feared  neither 
God  nor  man,  nor  the  devil,  by  day  and  night,  alone  and  in  com- 
pany, sleeping  all  sorts  together,  and  yet  not  one  of  them  ever  offer- 
ed me  the  least  abuse  of  anchastity  in  word  or  action."  Elizabeth 
Hanson,  who  was  captured  in  Dover,  in  1724,  says  in  her  naiTative, 
that  "  the  Indians  are  very  civil  towards  their  captive  women,  not 
ofiering  any  incivility  by  any  indecent  carriage."     Charlevoix, speak- 


64 

Haverhill  was  a  frontier  town  for  nearlj  seventj 
years,  and  but  few  towns  suffered  so  severely  from  the 
Indians.  At  this  period,  we  can  have  but  a  faint  con- 
ception of  the  sufferings  of  the  inhabitants.  Surrounded 
with  an  immense  and  mostly  unexplored  forest — thinly 
scattered  over  a  large  tract  of  land — and  constantly  ex- 
posed to  the  attacks  of  savage  hordes,  are  circumstances 
which  have  made  us  wonder,  why  they  should  continue 
to  march  onward  and  onward  into  the  wilderness,  ter- 
rific for  its  extent,  and  unfurl  the  banner  of  civilization 
under  the  very  shadow  of  the  enemy's  wigwam.  The 
contests  between  them  and  the  savages,  were  not  like 
those  between  civilized  nations;  but  it  was  a  war  for 
extermination  on  one  side,  characterized  with  acts  of  the 
basest  cruelty  and  revenge,  and  for  defence  on  the 
other.  The  foemen  frequently  fought  hand  to  hand; 
the  bloody  frays  were  frequent  and  sometimes  long. 

The  Indians  made  their  attacks  slyly,  and  cautiously 
approached  their  enemy  by  skulking  behind  the  inter- 
vening objects,  until  they  came  so  near  that  they  felt 
perfectly  sure  of  their  victim.  At  other  times,  they 
would  fall  upon  the  inhabitants  before  the  break  of  day, 
and  ba:;|)arously  slaughter  them  while  they  were  unpre- 
pared to  defend  themselves.  The  people  always  went 
armed  to  their  daily  labor,  and  on  the  sabbath  they  were 
seen  on  their  way  to  the  Church,  with  a  psalm-book  in 
one  hand,  and  a  gun,  loaded  and  primed,  in  the  other. 
But  even  then,  while  kneeling  beneath  the  roof  of  the 
sanctuary,  they  were  not  safe;  if  they  went  into  the 
fields  at  noontide,  with  their  spades  and  mattocks,  their 
foes  were  behind  them;  if  they  slept  within  their 
dwellings  v/hen  the  sun  had  gone  down,  the  darkness 
would  not  protect  them;  but  ere  the  light  had  stole 
upon  the  east,  their  blood,  and  the  blood  of  their  belov- 
ed, might  pool  together  upon  their  hearths.  In  sum- 
mer and  winter,  at  the  budding  and  searing  of  the  leaf, 
they  were  alike  exposed  to  hardships  and  to  death. 

Some  of  the  most  heroic  deeds  accomplished  by  the 
inhabitants  of  this  town,  were  performed  by  women, — 

ing  of  the  Indians  of  Canada,  says,  (letter  7.)  "there  is  no  example 
that  any  have  taken  the  least  liberty  witli  the  Freuch  women,  even 
when  they  were  their  prisoners/* 


65 

by  those  whose  limbs  were  not  made  to  wield  the  wea- 
pons of  war — whose  hearts  could  never  exult  in  a  pro- 
fusion of  blood — and  whose  sphere  of  usefulness,  of 
honor  and  of  glory,  was  in  the  precincts  of  the  domestic 
circle.  Giddy,  thoughtless  and  fearful  as  she  often  ap- 
pears, there  are  times  when  these  characteristics  arc 
laid  aside,  and  she  clothes  herself  with  a  steadiness,  a 
thoughtfulness,  and  courage,  which  equals,  and  often- 
times surpasses,  the  same  qualities  in  man. 

8th  July.  Henry  Barnsby,  a  young  man  living  willi 
Benjamin  Singletary,  was  drowned. 

A  small  party  of  Indians,  on  the  13th  of  August, 
made  their  appearance  in  the  northerly  part  of  the  town, 
and  killed  Daniel  Bradley. "^  They  then  went  to  the 
iield  of  TsTathaniel  Singletary,  where  he,  and  his  oldest 
son  were  at  work.  They  approached  in  their  slow  and 
serpent-like  manner,  until  they  came  within  a  few  rods 
of  them,  when  they  shot  Mr.  Singletary,  who  fell  and 
died  on  the  spot;  his  son  then  attempted  to  escape,  but 
was  quickly  overtaken  and  made  prisoner.  The  Indians 
than  scalped  Mr.  Singletary,  and  commenced  a  hasty 
retreat;  but  their  prisoner  soon  eluded  their  vigilance, 
and  returned  to  his  home,  on  the  same  day,  io  make 
glad  the  hearts  of  his  afflicted  relatives.  They  again 
made  their  appearance  on  the  17th  of  October,  when 
they  wounded  and  made  prisoner,  Ezra  Rolte,  who 
died  on  the  20th. 

Two  sons  of  Robert  Swan,  sen.,  Samuel  and  Josh- 
ua, went  into  the  orchard  of  Simon  Wainwright  and  cut 
down  some  of  his  best'  appletrees.  The  boys  were 
arrested  and  brought  before  Major  Nathaniel  Salton- 
stall  for  examination.  But  the  father  wished  that  they 
might  be  examined  before  some  other  person,  for  he  bit- 

*0n  the  30th  of  September,  1690,  the  following  petition  of  his 
son,  Daniel,  was  addressed  to  the  Court,  which  we  have  copied  from 
the  original  manuscript. 

*'  To  the  honord  cortt  now  siting  att  ipswige  this  may  signify  to 
your  honors  that  whereas  by  the  prouvidence  of  God  my  father  Dan- 
iel Bradly  was  slaine  by  the  hand  of  the  heathen  and  left  no  will  as 
to  the  deposing  of  his  outward  estatte  I  request  his  brother  Joseph 
may  be  apointed  administrator..  Dx\NIEL  BRADLY." 

This  request  was  granted. 
6* 


66 

terly  hated  the  Major,  and  wrote  him  the  following  letter 
on  the  occasion,  which  we  copy  from  tJie  original. 

"  Dec  16  1689  the  hon  Major  saltonstall  is  quire 
i  understand  there  is  a  contrivance  in  towne  to  bring  my 
boys  y^  bee  onder  my  government  sanmel  and  Joshua 
before  youre  honer  for  exsamminasion  for  mischief  don 
bv  somebody  upon  Simon  wainwrits  estate  which  i  doe 
forbid  and  forwarn  youre  honers  having  any  thing  to  doe 
with  the  exsamminasion  of  theas  my  boys  but  i  am  willing 
mr  simon  wainwrigt  should  have  them  to  any  other  mag- 
istraticali  athority  for  exsamminasion  if:  he  pleas  and 
then  i  shall  bee  'in  hops  y«  exsamminasion  will  not  be 
altord  when  it  comes  to  corte  as  witnesse  my  hand 
ROBERT  SWAN  sen." 
There  is  but  one  mark  of  punctuation  in  the  whole 
letter,  and  that  is  after  sen.;  still  it  is  a  biting  thing  as 
ever  was  written,  and  indirectly  charged  the  Major  with 
altering  the  tenor  of  the  examination  before  it  vias  pre- 
sented^to  Court.  It  was  too  foul  an  insult  to  be  given 
to  a  magistrate,  unless  it  could  be  supported  by  positive 
proof;  and  the  I\Iajor  considered  it  too  important  to  be 
overlooked.  Accordingly  on  the  ITth  of  February  fol- 
lowing, he  entered  a  complaint  to  the  Court,  against 
Robert  Swan,  sen.,  ''for  a  high  contempt  of  authority, 
and  endeavoring  to  hinder  him  in  the  execution  of  his 
office  as  Magistrate,  and  casting  abominable  wicked 
reflections  upon  him  to  y^  high  defamation  of  his  name." 


1690. 

Near  the  close  of  the  last  year,  Rev.  Benjamin 
Rolie,  a  native  of  Newbury,  began  to  preach,  and  assist 
jNIr.  Ward  in  other  parochial  duties.  The  town  voted 
him  a  salary  of  forty  pounds,  during  Mr.  Ward's  life,  in 
wheat,  rye,  and  Indian.  There  was  a  strong  opposition 
to  this  nieasure,  and  three  lines  recorded  at  the  bottom 
of  the  vote,  were  blotted  out  by  order  of  the  town. 
Having  again  met  in  the  afternoon,  this  vote  was  revis- 
ed, and  another  passed,  in  the  absence  of  "  Mr.  Ward 
and  his  son  Saltonstall."     The  marginal  reference  to  it 


67 

says:--'^<£20  taken  from  Mr.  Ward  for  Mr.  Roife's^ 
diet  in — 90  without  consent." 

The  inhabitants  grew  more  and  more  alarmed  on 
account  of  the  Indians,  and,  on  the  7th  of  April,  a  meet- 
ing was  called  to  provide  means  for  their  safety,  when  a 
petition  was  ordered  to  be  drawn  up  and  presented  to 
the  General  Court,  requesting  a  company  of  forty  men 
at  "  the  Country's  charges,  as  this  was  a  frontier  town, 
— to  be  on  constant  service,  and  stationed  without  the 
outmost  garrisons,  so  as  to  watch  the  enemy  and  pre- 
vent any  surprise,  or  give  notice  to  others  within,  that 
they  may  be  encouraged  to  do  somewhat  in  order  to 
future  livelihood,  and,  in  case  of  need,  to  stand  for  their 
lives." 

Six  garrisons  were  appointed,  and  ordered  to  be 
kept  in  a  state  of  defence;  and  four  houses  were  ap- 
pointed for  refuge,  then  called  "houses  for  refuge." 
One  of  the  garrisons  was  commanded  by  Sergeant  John 
Haseltine.  A  part  of  the  house  is  now  standing,  and  is 
occupied  by  Mr.  Samuel  Pecker."*  He  had  seven  men 
under  his  command: — Onesiphorus  Marsji,  sen.,  Onesi- 
phorus  Marsh,  jun.,  Nathaniel  Haseltine,  Eben  Web- 
ster, Joseph  Holt,  Thomas  Ayer,  and  Joseph  Bond. 
Another  was  commanded  by  Sergeant  John  Webster;  this 
is  supposed  to  be  the  brick  house  which  stands  on  the 
bank  of  the  river,  three  fourths  of  a  mile  east  of  the 
bridge,  and  is  now  occupied  by  Widow  Nathaniel  Whit- 
tier.  He  had  eight  men  under  his  command: — Stephen 
Webster,  Samuel  Watts,  Nicholas  Brown,  Jacob  Whit- 
taker,  John  Marsh,  Robert  Ford,  Samuel  Ford,  and 
Thomas  Kingsbury.  The  third  was  owned  and  com- 
manded by  Jonathan  Emerson;  a  part  of  it  is  now- 
standing,  a  few  rods  west  of  the  house  now  occupied  by 
Capt.  Nehemiah  Emerson,  and  is  owned  by  Mr.  Jona- 
than K.  Smith.     The  fourth  was  commanded  by  James 

*  This  garrison  was  owned  by  Onesiphoms  Marsh,  sen.,  who  is 
the  ancestor  of  those  of  that  name  in  this  town.  The  first  notice  we 
have  of  him,  is  in  1684,  when  he  built  a  house  a  few  rods  north  of 
that  owned  by  Mj,  Pecker.  He  owned  the  principal  part  of  that  hill, 
and  for  many  years  it  was  known  by  the  name  of  Marsh's  hill.  The 
name  was  generally  spelt  Mash.  Another  account  states  that  the 
garrison  was  commanded  by  Jonathan  Marsh. 


68 

Ayer;  it  stood  nearly  opposite  to  the  house  now  occupi- 
ed by  Capt.  John  Ayer,  id.  The  fifth  was  commanded 
by  Joseph  Bradley,  and  was  situated  in  the  northerly 
part  ot^the  town,  not  iar  from  the  house  of  the  late  Zeb- 
ulon  Sargent;  jt  was  long  since  torn  down,  and  no  traces 
of  it  now  remain.  The  sixtli  was  owned  and  command- 
ed by  Capt.  John  White;  and  Avas  situated  near  the 
house  now  owned  by  Mr.  William  White,  lie  had  six 
men  under  his  command: — Stephen  Dow,  scn.y  Stephen 
Dow,  jun.,  John  Dow,  Edward  Brumidgo,  Israel  Hen- 
drick,  Israel  [JMS.  defaced]  jun.  Two  brick  houses, 
belonging  to  Joseph  and  iVathaniel  Peaslee,  in  the  eas- 
terly part  of  the  town,  the  houses  of  Major  Nathaniel 
Saltonstall  and  Capt.  Simon  Wainwriglit,  were  appoint- 
ied  for  houses  of  refuge.*  A  lew  soldiers  were  stationed 
in  them,  who  were  under  the  command  of  the  owners. 
Two  watch-houses  were  erected,  one  of  which  stood 
near  the  house  now  occupied  by  Mr.  John  Dow,  and 
the  other  was  on  the  bank  of  the  river,  a  i^cw  rods  east  of 
Wid.  Samuel  W.  Duncan's  house.  The  school-house, 
which  stood  near  the  grave-yard,  was  likewise  made  use 
of  for  that  purpose.  A  guard  of  soldiers  was  stationed 
in  each  of  them,  who  were  on  the  look-out  for  the  ene- 
my, night  and  day.  Beside  these,  many  private  houses 
were  barricaded,  and  the  inhabitants  generally  were 
prepared  for  any  emergency. 

Most  of  the  garrisons,  and  two  of  the  refuge  houses, 
those  belonging  to  Joseph  and  Nathaniel  Peaslee,  were 
built  of  brick,  and  were  two   stories  high;  those   that 

*The  houses  of  Joseph  and  Nathaniel  Peaslee  are  now  standing; 
the  former  was  owned  by  the  late  Nathan  Sawyer,  and  the  hitter  is 
owned  and  occupied  by  Capt.  Jesse  Newconib.  The  house  of  Mr. 
Saltonstall  stood  near  that  of  Wid.  Samuel  W.  Dimcan's.  The  house 
of  Capt.  Simon  Wainwiight  stood  on  the  spot  now  covered  by  that 
of  Capt.  Nehemiah  Emerson. 

The  garrisons  here  spoken  of,  it  is  presumed,  were  not  all  ap- 
pointed in  the  year  1690;  nor  can  the  precise  tune  be  ascertained, 
when  they  were;  though  we  find  them  all  before  1696.  Sergeant 
John  Haseltine  took  the  command  of  a  garrison  in  the  spring  of 
1690,  and  it  is  most  probable  that  the  others  were  appointed  at  such 
tunes  as  the  town  authorities  deemed  proper.  But  it  was  thought 
best  to  put  them  a\\  in  one  year,  as  the  time  of  their  appointmeut 
eould  not  be  exactly  designated. 


69 

were  not  built  of  this  material,  had  a  single  laying  of  it 
between  the  outer  and  inner  walls.  They  had  but  one 
outside  door,  which  was  often  so  small  that  but  one  per- 
son could  enter  at  a  time;  their  windows  were  about 
two  feet  and  a  half  in  length,  eighteen  inches  in  breadth, 
and  were  secured  on  the  inside  with  iron  bars.  Their 
glass  was  very  small,  cut  in  the  shape  of  a  diamond, 
was  extremely  thick,  and  fastened  in  with  lead  in- 
stead of  putty.  There  were  generally  but  two  rooms 
in  the  basement  story,  and  tradition  says  that  they  en- 
tered the  chamber  with  the  help  of  a  ladder,  instead  of 
stairs,  so  that  the  inmates  could  retreat  into  them,  and 
take  it  up  if  the  basement-story  should  be  taken  by  the 
enemy.  Their  fire-places  were  of  such  enormous  sizes, 
that  they  could  burn  their  wood  sled-length,  very  con- 
veniently; and  the  ovens  opened  on  the  outside  of  the 
building,  generally  at  one  end,  behind  the  fire-place; 
and  were  of  such  dimensions  that  we  should  sup- 
pose a  sufficient  quantity  of  bread  might  have  been 
baked  in  them,  without  much  difficulty,  to  supply  a  regi- 
ment of  hungry  mouths. 

It  was  truly  an  age  of  terror  with  these  hardy  and 
courageous  men;  and  their  descendants  can  have  but  a 
faint  idea  of  the  difficulties  they  encountered,  and  of  the 
dangers  that  continually  hung  over  their  heads,  threat- 
ening every  moment  to  overwhelm  them  like  a  torrent, 
and  sweep  them,  with  those  whom  they  dearly  loved,  to 
the  silent  tomb.  Almost  every  man  was  a  soldier;  and 
many,  who  lived  in  remote  parts  of  the  town,  moved, 
with  their  families,  into  the  vicinity  of  a  garrison,  or  a 
house  of  refuge.* 

On  the  31st  of  August,  Samuel  Parker,  and  a  small 
boy,  were  employed  in  the  east-meadow,  in  curing  hay. 

*This  was  the  case  with  Stephen  Dow  and  his  son,  who  lived  in 
the  East  part  of  the  town,  and  moved  near  to  the  garrrison  of  Capt. 
Jolin  White.  The  Indians  had  a  peculiar  whistle,  which  was  made 
by  placing  both  hands  to  the  mouth,  and  was  known  to  be  their  call, 
or  watch-word.  It  was  frequently  heard  in  the  adjacent  woods,  and 
tradition  says,  that  Stephen  Dow,  jun.  was  the  only  person  in  the 
garrison  who  could  exactly  imitate  it;  and  that  he  frequently  con- 
cealed himself,  and  endeavored  to  decoy  them  within  the  range  of 
the  soldiers'  bullets.     But  it  does  not  say  that  he  ever  succeeded. 


70 

A  party  of  Indians  approached  them  while  they  were  at 
work,  and  shot  Mr.  Parker  dead  on  the  spot;  the  boy 
ran  in  an  opposite  direction  from  the  smoke  of  the  as- 
sailants, and,  by  concealing  himself  in  the  tail  grass, 
escaped  uninjured,  and  was  the  first  to  bear  the  melan- 
choly tidings  to  Mr.  Parker's  family.* 

To  add  to  the  horrors  of  savage  warfare,  the  small 
pox  broke  out  among  the  inhabitants.  This  loathsome 
and  deadly  disease  was  then  but  little  understood,  and 
was  much  more  terrific  than  at  the  present  day.  The 
town  seems  to  have  been  somewhat  alarmed,  and  about 
this  time,  ordered  a  pest-house  to  be  erected,  which  was 
situated  on  the  hill,  east  of  the  house  now  occupied  by 
Mr.  Joseph  Bradley.  We  can  learn  of  but  six  persons 
who  died  with  this  disease.  They  were  Abraham  Hen- 
drick,  Mary  Ford,  and  her  daughter  IMary,  Josiah  Star- 
ling, Ruth  Hartshorne,  and  Thomas  JMarsh.  The  re- 
cords say  that  John  Stockbridge  "  went  to  sea  and  died 
of  the  small  pox." 

Samuel  Swan,  son  of  Robert  Swan,  sen.,  wantonly 
stabbed  a  valuable  horse  belonirinor  to  Cant.  Simon 
Wainwright,  with  '^  a  half  pike."  At  the  Court  holden 
on  the  25th  of  September,  Samuel  Ingalls  swore  to  the 
following  testimony,  which  we  insert  merely  for  the  od- 
dity of  its  expressions.  It  is  copied  correctly  from  the 
Court  Records.  He  says — "  I  and  samuel  swan  was  at 
work  to  gether  in  the  field  of  Robert  Swan  jun  and 
goodman  Swan  sen  came  to  us  and  asked  us  to  goe  into 
the  hous  with  him  and  then  he  asked  Sam'  Vvhy  he  stab- 
ed  mr  Wainwright  horse — Samuel  said  nothing — then 
said  his  father  to  him  vv'hat  is  the  reason  yo  doe  wick- 
edly in  sinning  against  God  in  abusing  the  dum  creature 
and  his  father  was  so  grievd  at  it  y^  he  weped  and  then 
he  said  I  am  resolved  I  will  give  you  coreksion  and 
then  he  pulled  of  his  close  to  his  shurt  and  took  a  stick 
as  big  as  a  good  ordinary  naihng  rod  and  then  he  took 
Sami  by  one  hand  and  streek  him  as  hard  I  thought  as 
he  was  cable  to  strike  and  streek  him  many  blows.  His 
father  v/as  a  considerable  while  beating  him  and  Samuel 

*  Tradition. 


71 


cryed  out  and  beged  of  his  father  vari  much  yt  he  would 
beat  him  no  more."  The  boy  was  convicted  and  sent 
to  jail. 


1691. 

On  the  16th  of  June,  John  Robie*  was  killed  by  the 
Indians;  and  his  son,  Ichabod,  was  taken  prisoner,  but 
soon  after  returned.  At  the  same  time  they  shot  Na- 
thaniel Ladd,  who  soon  after  died  of  his  wounds.  In 
October,  says  Mr.  Hutchinson,  "  a  family  was  killed  at 
Rowley  and  one  at  Haverhill."!  Perhaps  he  had  ref- 
erence to  the  above  persons;  if  not,  the  name  of  that 
family  must  remain  in  obscurity,  for  there  is  no  account 
of  the  death  of  any  other  person,  this  year,  by  the  In- 
dians. The  family  killed  at  Rowley  was  named  Good- 
ridge.  J 


The  witchcraft  delusion,  so  celebrated  in  the  annals 
of  New-England  History,  commenced  in  February,  in 
Danvers.  Within  six  months,  thirteen  women  and  six 
men  were  hung,  and  one  man  was  pressed  to  death. 
More  than  one  hundred  other  persons  were  imprisoned 
within  the  same  time.  This  fatal  delusion,  which  hung 
like  a  tempest-cloud  over  the  whole  Colony,  showering 
death  and  infamy  upon  those  who  should  be  con- 
victed of  the  diabolical  charge,  and  carrying  terror  to 
the  hearts  of  men,  did  not  make  its  appearance,  either 
in  this  town,  or  Newbury.  There  was  not  a  solitary  in- 
stance of  the  kind  to  stain  the  characters  of  our  fathers. 

2d  March.  Nathaniel  Smith  and  his  wife  were  pre- 
sented for  drunkenness,  "  and  especially  upon  the  27th  of 

*  After  his  death,  an  inventory  was  taken  of  his  property,  which 
amounted  to  £120.  5s.  Id. 
t  Vol.  1,  pa^e  359. 
t  ColHn's  MSS. 


72 

January  last."  The  Court  Files  say:— "at  9  1-2  P. 
M.,  the  said  Smith's  wife  came  to  the  house  of  Samuel 
Child,  in  said  Haverhill,  being  very  drunk,  hardly  able 
to  speak  for  drink,  and  was  very  abusive  to  the  great 
disturbance  of  the  said  Samuel's  family." 

Stephen  Dow,  3d.,  and  Daniel  Ladd,  jun.,  were  cho- 
sen jurymen. 

The  following  letter  was  written  by  Nathaniel  Sal- 
tonstall,  Esq.,  to  the  Court  holden  at  Salem. 

'^  Haverhill,  March  29,  1692. 

Gentlemen: — I  do  not  remember  since  I  belonged  to 
any  Court,  that  a  greater  or  so  strong  a  desire  to  give 
my  personal  appearance  at  any  time  than  now.  Busi- 
ness, transient  business,  hinders  me  not.  The  affaires 
of  y^  court  (all  y*  I  have  yet  heard  of,)  divert  me  not. 
My  heart  is  with  you  and  my  prayer  shall  be  for  you. 
Were  I  with  you  1  could  not  set  in  court  to  hear  any 
case;  and  besides  that,  this  very  day  I  have  met  with 
such  a  fall  that  puts  me  by  any  possibilitie  of  movmg 
this  day.  If  I  may  be  capable  of  serving  the  country 
tomorrow,  I  purpose  to  come,  and  do  w^  I  can.  I'll  try 
in  the  morning.  ,     . 

Gentlemen,  proceed,  I  beseech  you,  and  if  m  any 
case  there  wants  a  cypher  to  be  added  to  the  number 
(as  soon  as  I  can)  you  shall  have  me.  I  cannot  com- 
pliment— I  have  not  time  for  any  thing  now  but  to  tell 
you,  gentlemen,  I  am  your  servant.  ,  ^  ,, 

^  NATHANIEL  SALTONSTALL." 

18th  July.  Hannah  Whittaker  was  killed  by  the 
Indians. 

Sometime  in  August,  John  Keezar  took  his  scythe 
and  his  gim,  and  went  into  the  Pond  IMeadow  to  cut  the 
grass.  He  laid  his  gun  down  beside  a  tree,  and  while 
mowing,  a  short  distance  from  it,  an  Indian,  who  had 
secretly  observed  his  motions,  crept  silently  along,  con- 
cealintr  himself  in  the  grass,  and  secured  the  gun  before 
Keezar  was  aware  of  it.  The  Indian  then  brought  the 
britch  of  it  to  his  shoulder,  and  exultingly  exclaimed— 
"  me  kill  you  now."  Keezar  saw  that  an  attempt  to  fly, 
would  be  attended  with  certain  death,  and  his  only  re- 
course was  to  stratagem.  Soon  as  he  saw  that  the  In- 
dian  had    secured   his   gun,    he  faced    about  and   ran 


-T3 

towards  him,  shouting  at  the  top  of  his  voice,  swinging 
his  ghttering  scythe,  and  threatening  to  cut  him  in 
pieces.  This  daring  conduct,  in  one  whom  the  Indian 
expected  would  fly,  or  beg  for  liis  hte,  his  terrible  threat- 
enings,  and  the  formidable  appearance  of  his  weapon, 
completely  affrighted  him;  and  he  threw  down  his  stolen 
gun  and  tied  for  his  life.  Keezar  followed  close  upon 
his  heels,  striking  at  him  all  the  time  with  his  scythe. 
At  length  he  reached  him,  and  at  one  stroke,  buried  it 
in  his  bowels.*  Thus,  by  a  courageous  action,  which, 
if  it  had  not  succeeded,  would  have  been  stigmatized  as 
rash,  he  saved  his  life  and  took  that  of  his  opponent. 

19th  March.  Jonathan  Franklin  was  killed  by  the 
Indians. 

Joseph  Greely  and  Joseph  Peasley,  agreed  with  the 
town  to  build  a  corn-mill  on  the  East-meadow-brook. 
Mr.  Greely,  some  years  before,  had  partly  finished  a 
dam  on  the  same  stream;  but  being  unable  to  bear  the 
expense,  he  was  obliged  to  leave  it.  This  was  the  first 
mill  erected  on  that  stream. 

8th  May.  A  Committee  of  four  was  appointed,  to 
ask  Mr.  Ward  how  much  he  would  abate  of  his  annual 
salary  after  the  settlement  of  Mr.  Rolfe.  The  record 
reads  thus: — "the  messenger,  by  word  of  mouth,  re- 
turned Mr.  Ward's  answer,  that  from  and  after  Mr. 
Rolfe's  settlement,  he  would  abate  all  except  twenty 
pounds  in  wheat  and  indian,  annually,  and  sixty  cords 
of  sound  wood  corded  at  his  house;  and  that  a  Commit- 
tee be  appointed  to  attend  to  his  house  upon  a  sett  day, 
to  receive  and  take  account  of  what  shall  be  brought  in, 
and  sett  the  price  thereof,  if  it  be  not  merchantable,  that 
^0  it  come  not  in  by  pitiful  driblets  as  formerly." 

The  venerable  Mr.  Ward  died  on  the  27th  of  De- 
cember, in  the  eighty-eighth  year  of  his  age,  and  was 
buried  on  the  following  day.     He  was  the  projector  of 

*  Tradition. 


T4 

fae  settlement,  and  in  fact,  the  father  of  the  town.  He 
had  heard  the  first  sound  of  the  woodman's  axe — he  had 
seen  the  first  tree  fallen,  and  the  first  house  reared  in 
the  wild  forest.  These  hills  had  never  heard  the  glad 
sounds  of  the  gospel,  until  his  voice  was  echoed  among 
them;  these  green  and  beautiful  vallies  had  long  laid  in 
moral  darkness  and  desolation,  trodden  only  by  the  feet 
of  the  savage,  until  he  came  among  them  as  a  messen- 
ger from  God.  The  waters  of  the  broad  Merrimack 
became  glad  at  the  sound  of  his  voice,  and  rolled  on- 
ward to  their  ocean-home, — to  the  assemblage  of  the 
mighty  waters. 

If  we  may  be  permitted  to  judge  from  the  records, 
and  from  what  the  early  writers  have  said  of  him,  we 
should  say  that  no  preacher  ever  had  a  stronger  hold  on 
the  affections  of  his  people,  than  Mr.  Ward.  As  a 
minister,  he  was  honored;  as  a  man,  he  was  respected; 
as  a  neighbor,  he  was  beloved.  His  father  was  the 
celebrated  Rev.  Nathaniel  Ward,  the  author  of  "  the 
Simple  Cobler  of  Agawam  in  America."  Dr.  Cotton 
Mather  calls  him  one  of  the  worthies  of  New-England. 
In  his  peculiar  style,  he  says:—"  Mr.  John  W\^rd  was 
born,  I  think,  in  Haverhill,  [England]  on  Nov.^5,  1606. 
His  grandfather  was  that  worthy  minister  of  Haverhill, 
and  his  father  was  that  N.  Ward,  whose  wit  made  him 
known  to  more  Englands  than  one.  He  was  a  person 
of  a  quick  apprehension,  a  clear  understanding,  a  strong 
memory,  a  facetious  conversation;  he  was  an  exact 
grammarian,  and  expert  physician,  and  which  is  the  top 
of  all,  a  thorough  divine;  but  which  rarely  happens, 
these  endowments  of  his  mind  were  accompanied  with  a 
most  healthy,  hardy  and  agile  constitution  of  body, 
which  enabled  him  to  make  nothing  of  walking,  on  foot, 
a  journey  as  long  as  thirty  miles  together. 

'^  Though  he  had  great  offers  of  rich  matches  in 
England,  yet  he  chose  to  marry  a  meaner  person,  whom 
exemplary  piety  had  recommended.  He  lived  with  her 
more  than  forty  years  in  such  an  happy  harmony,  that 
when  she  died,  he  confessed  that  in  all  this  time  he 
never  received  one  displeasing  word  or  look  from  her. 
Although  she  would  so  faithfully  tell  him  of  every  thing 


75 

that  might  seem  amendable  in  him,  that  he  would 
pleasantly  compare  her  to  an  accusing  conscience;  yet 
she  pleased  him  wonderfully.  When  he  lost  bis  mate 
he  caused  those  words  to  be  fairly  written  on  his  table- 
board — III  Lugenda  Cotnpare,  VIIcq  Spaciuui  Coraplcat 
Orbus. 

"  This  diligent  servant  of  the  I.ord  Jesus  Christ  con- 
tinued under  and  against  many  temptations,  watching 
over  his  flock  at  Haverhill  moro  than  thrice  as  long  as 
Jacob  continued  with  his  unkle,  yea,  for  as  many  years 
as  there  are  sabbaths  in  the  year.  On  Nov.  19  1693, 
he  preached  an  excellent  sermon,  entering  the  eighty- 
eighth  year  of  his  age,  the  only  one  that  ever  was,  and 
perhaps  ever  will  be,  preached  in  this  country  at  such 
an  age.*  On  Dec.  27th  he  went  off  bringing  up  the 
rear  of  our  first  generation.''  j 

Mr.  Rolfe,  on  the  day  of  his  ordination,  speaking  of 
him,  says,  that  ''  these  four  years  past  have  been  the 
happiest  and  most  profitable  to  me  of  my  whole  life.  I 
have  had  the  counsels  of  wisdom  and  experience,  the 
admonitions  of  a  father  ana  friend,  and  an  example  con- 
stantly before  me,  of  umUssembled  virtue,  ardent  piety 
and  burning  zeal." 

The  following  i«  an  extract  from  his  will,  which  was 
dated  on  the  27th  of  May,  1680. 

'^  O  Lord,  into  thy  hands  commit.  I  my  spirit. — 
Credo  languida  fide  sed  tamen  fide. 

Concerning  that  portion  of  worldly  goods  which  God 
of  his  rich  bounty  hath  bestowed  upon  me,  J  make  this 
my  last  will  and  testament.  I  give  to  my  beloved  son, 
Benja.  Woodbridge,  and  to  my  beloved  daughter,  Mary, 
his  wdfe,  one  parcell  of  land  containing  thirty  acres, 
more  or  less,  lying  att  the  norwest  end  of  the  towne  of 
Haverhill,  in  N.  England.  =j^  *  #  =*  *  I  gjye  to 
my  beloved  son,  Nathl.  Sahonstall,  and  to  my  beloved 
daughter,  Elizabeth,  his  wife,  my  house,  and  land  ad- 
joyning  thereto,  commonly  called  the  houselott,  lying  in 
the  town  of  Haverhill  *  *  =^  #  #  Lastly,  I  con- 
stitute and  appoynt  my  beloved  son,  Saltonstall,  the  ex- 

*The  Dr.  was  incorrect  in  Ks  predieUon. 
titlagualia. 


76 

ecutor  of  this  my  last  will  and  testament,  and  do  hereby 
make  void  all  former   Wills  made  by  me. 
Witness  my  hand  and  seal. 

JOHN  WARD,     [seal] 
Signed  and  sealed  in  the  presence  of  us; 
William  White,  Thomas  Eatox,  Benja.  Rolfe. 
Jan.  23,       92-3,  owned  before  John  White.'* 


A  larg^e  portion  of  the  town  was  opposed  to  the 
settlement  of  Mr.  Rolfe,  and  considerable  violence  was 
used.  The  town  voted  to  make  provision  for  his  ordi- 
nation, if  it  did  not  exceed  ten  pounds;  but  the  opposi- 
tion was  so  strono;,  thai — to  use  the  words  of  the  Re- 
corder— the  vote  was  "  withdravn  and  nullified."  His 
answer  to  the  call  of  the  Chuich  and  town  was  then 
read,  in  which  he  expressed  his  willingness  to  settle 
among  them,  if  they  would  subscribe  to  three  articles — 
to  which  they  agreed;  and  he  was  accordingly  settled 
the  7th  of  January. 

26th  Feb.  The  annual  Town-meeting  had  been 
holden  on  the  last  Tuesday  in  February,  but,  the  day 
on  which  the  assembly  met  was  changed,  and  it  became 
necessary  to  alter  the  day  on  which  the  town  met,  or 
it  would  be  obliged  to  hold  two  annual  meetings.  To 
prevent  this,  the  first  Tuesday  in  March  was  appointed 
for  that  purpose. 

The  garrison  commanded  by  Sergeant  Nathaniel 
Haselline,*  it  is  believed,  was  never  attacked;  but  a 
laughable  circumstance  happened  in  it,  about  this  peri- 
od, which  we  will  narrate.  In  the  dead  of  night,  when 
the  moon  shone  fitfully  through  the  ragged  clouds,  and 
the  winds  moaned  solemnly  on  the  wooded  hills,  the 
watch,  the  only  person  awake  in  the  garrison,  perceived 
something  standing  within  the  ]:)aling  that  surrounded  it, 
which  he  supposed" to  be  an  Indian;  and  who  was,  as  he 

*  Then  Owned  by  Jonathan  ^larsh,  and  now  owned  by  Mr.  Saiu- 
\iel  Pecker. 


11 

tho\3glit,  ■endeavoring  to  gain  an  entrance.  Being  con- 
siderably affrighted,  he  did  not  wait  to  consider  the 
object  coolly,  but  raised  his  musket  and  fired.  The  re- 
port alarmed  the  whole  garrison.  The  women  and  chil- 
dren were  awakened  tiom  their  slumbers,  and  ran  hither 
and  thither  like  maniacs,  expectnig  that  they  should  fall 
beneath  the  tomahawk.  The  men,  equally  afirighted, 
jumped  into  their  breeches  as  though  their  lives  depend- 
ed on  their  speed,  seized  their  guns,  and  hastened  to 
the  port-holes.  Every  man  now  displayed  his  heroism. 
Volley  after  volley  was  fired  at  the  suspicious  looking 
object — but  it  fell  not.  There  it  remained,  just  as  it 
did  when  the  watch  first  observed  it.  This  was  truly  a 
mystery,  that  had  no  whys  nor  wherefores.  It  is  pre- 
sumed a  consultation  was  held  at  this  important  crisis; 
but  we  have  never  been  informed  of  the  result.  Let 
that  be  as  it  may, — they  ceased  firing,  but  contin- 
ued under  arms  till  morning,  all  prepared  for  im- 
mediate action,  and  keeping  a  good  look-out  for  the 
supposed  enemy.  At  length,  the  morning  began 
to  dawn,  and  all  eyes  were  turned  toward  the  dar- 
ing intruder.  They  soon  discovered  the  cause  of 
their  alarm — and  what  do  you  suppose  it  was,  read- 
er ? — Vvliy,  it  was  nothing  but  an  old  maid's  old 
black  quilted  petticoat,  which  she  had  washed  the  day 
previous,  hung  it  on  the  clothes-line  to  dry,  and  neg- 
lected to  take  it  in  at  night.  When  it  was  taken  down, 
every  part  of  it  was  pierced  with  bullet-holes,  and,  for 
aught  we  know,  the  poor  old  maid  had  no  other  to 
wear.  It  is  thought  that  those  excellent  marksmen  ought 
to  have  provided  her  with  another — and  doubtless  they 
did.* 

4th  Sept.  Joseph  Pike  and  Richard  Long,  were 
slain  by  the  Indians,  as  they  were  travelling  near  the 
north  end  of  the  Pond  Plain.  "  The  enemy  lay  in  a 
deserted  house  by  the  way,  or  in  a  clump  of  bushes,  or 
both."  I  They  were  both  of  Newbury,  and  Joseph  Pike 
was  a  cousin  of  Rev.  John  Pike,  of  Amesbury. 

*  Tradition. 

t  Rev.  John  Pike's  Journal.     Mr.  Pike  was  a  minister  of  Dover, 
and  kept  a  journal  of  Indian  depredations,  from  1682  to  1710. 
7* 


78 


1005. 

2d  April.  There  had  been  many  but  ineffectual  at- 
tempts to  settle  the  boundary  line  between  this  town  and 
Amesbury.  At  this  meeting  the  Selectmen  were  order- 
ed to  have  it  done  immediately.  It  was  then  ordered, 
that  the  "  necessary  repairs  should  be  made  on  the 
meeting  house;"  and  then  they  voted  that  a  new  one 
should  be  erected  "with  what  speed  it  may  be."  A 
question  was  started,  whether  the  contemplated  house 
should  stand  on  the  site  of  the  old  one,  or  on  the  com- 
mon land,  "near  Mr.  Keezar's  dwelling;"*  and  the 
latter  place  was  chosen  by  a  large  majority. 

"Two  persons  were  wounded  by  the  Indians  in  Ha- 
verhill, in  1695."  t 

4th  Sept.     Two  persons  were  killed  at  Pond  Plain. f 

Early  in  the  fall,  a  party  of  the  Indians  appeared  in 
the  northerly  part  of  the  town,  where  they  surprised  and 
made  prisoners  of  Isaac  Bradley,  aged  fifteen,  and  Jo- 
seph Whittaker,  aged  eleven,  who  were  at  work  in  the 
open  fields  near  ]Mr.  Joseph  Bradley's  house.  The  In- 
dians instantly  retreated  with  their  prisoners,  witho'i*^ 
committing  any  further  violence,  and  pursued  tl  eir 
journey  through  the  wilderness  until  they  arrived  at 
their  homes,  on  the  shores  of  Lake  Winnipisec^e. 
Isaac,  says  tradition,  was  rather  small  in  stature,  but 
full  of  vigor  and  very  active;  and  he  certainly  possessed 
more  shrewdness  than  most  of  the  boys  of  that  age. 
But  Joseph  was  a  large,  overgrown  boy,  and  exceed- 
ingly clumsy  in  his  movements. 

Immediately  after  their  arrival  at  the  Lake,  the  two 
boys  were  placed  in  an  Indian  family,  consisting  of  the 
man,  his  squaw,  and  two  or  three  children.  While  Uiey 
were  in  this  situation,  they  soon  became  so  well  ac- 
quainted with  the  language,  that  they  learned  from  the 
occasional  conversations  carried  on  in  their  presence, 
between  their  master  and  the  neighboring  Indians  of  the 

*  The  present  traiiiing-fiekl  was  meant  by  the  common  land,  and 
Mr.  Keezar  then  lived  near  the  house  now  occupied  by  Mr.  John 
Appleton. 

t  Farmer's  edition  of  Belknap's  Hist,  of  N.  H. 


79 

same  tribe,  that  they  intended  to  carry  them  to  Canada,  * 
the  following  spring.  This  discovery  was  very  afflict- 
ing to  them.  It"  their  designs  were  carried  into  execu- 
tion, they  knew  that  there  would  be  but  little  chance  for 
them  to  escape;  and  from  that  time  the  active  mind  of 
Isaac  was  continually  planning  a  mode  to  effect  it.  A 
deep  and  unbroken  wilderness,  pathless  mountains,  and 
swollen  and  almost  impassable  rivers,  lay  between  them 
and  their  beloved  homes;  and  the  boys  feared,  if  they 
were  carried  still  further  northward,  that  they  should 
never  again  hear  the  kind  voice  of  a  father,  or  feel  the 
fervent  kiss  of  an  affectionate  mother,  or  the  fond  em- 
brace of  a  beloved  sister.  They  feared,  should  they  die 
in  a  strange  land,  that  there  would  be  none  to  close 
their  eyes — none  to  shed  for  them  the  tear  of  affection 
— none  to  place  the  green  turf  on  their  graves — and 
none  who  would  fondly  treasure  up  their  memories. 

Such  were  the  melancholy  thoughts  of  the  young 
boys,  and  they  determined  to  escape  before  their  mas- 
ters started  with  them  for  Canada.  The  winter  came 
with  its  snow  and  wind^the  spring  succeeded,  with  its 
early  buds  and  flowers,  and  its  pleasant  south  wind — 
and  still  they  were  prisoners.  Within  that  period,  Isaac 
w'as  brought  nigh  to  the  grave — a  burning  fever  had 
raged  in  his  veins,  and  for  many  days  he  languished  on 
a  bed  of  sickness;  but  by  the  care  of  the  squaw,  his 
mistress,  who  treated  them  both  with  considerable  kind- 

*  The  derivation  of  the  word  Canada  is  so  singular,  it  was  thought 
that  its  insertion  in  this  work  would  be  acceptable  to  tlie  curious,  and 
that  the  digression  would  be  pardoned  by  the  general  reader.  "  Mr. 
Bozman,  in  his  excellent  '  Introduction  to  a  History  of  Maryland,' 
34,  says  that  it  is  a  traditional  report,  that  previous  to  the  visiting  of 
Newfoundland  by  Cartier,  in  1534,  some  Spaniards  visited  that  coast 
in  search  of  gold,  but  its  appearance  discouraged  them,  and  they 
quitted  it  in  haste,  crying  out  as  they  went  on  board  their  vessel, 
'  Aca  nada,  Aca  nada;^  that  is  in  English,  '  there^s  nothing  here.^ 
The  Indians  retained  these  words  in  their  memories,  and  afterward, 
when  the  French  came  to  the  country,  they  were  saluted  with  the 
same  words,  and  mistook  them  for  the  name  of  the  country.  And 
in  time  the  first  letter  was  lost,  hence  the  name,  Canada.^''  Samuel 
G.  Drake's  "  History  of  Philip's  war  and  the  French  and  Indian 
wars  at  the  Eastward,"  page  177.  There  is  something  in  Mather's 
JMagnalia  amounting  to  nearly  the  same — II,  522. 


80 

ness,  he  recovered.  Again  he  felt  a  strong  desire  to 
escape,  which  increased  with  his  strength;  and  in  April 
he  matured  a  plan  for  that  purpose.  He  appomted  a 
night  to  put  it  in  execution,  without  informing  his  com- 
panion, till  the  day  previous,  when  he  told  him  of  his 
intentions.  Joseph  wished  to  accompany  him;  to  this 
Isaac  demurred,  and  said  to  him,  *'  I'm  afraid  you  wont 
wake."  Joseph  promised  that  he  would,  and  at  night 
they  laid  down  in  their  master's  wigwam,  in  the  midst 
of  his  family.  Joseph  soon  fell  asleep,  and  began  to 
snore  lustily;  but  there  was  no  sleep  for  Isaac— his 
strong  desire  to  escape— the  fear  that  he  should  not 
succeed  in  his  attempt,  and  of  the  punishment  that 
would  doubtless  be  inflicted  if  he  did  not— and  the  dan- 
ger, hunger  and  fatigue  that  awaited  him,  all  were  viv- 
idly painted  in  his  imagination,  and  kept  sleep  or  even 
drowsiness  far  from  him.  His  daring  attempt  was  envi- 
roned with  darkness  and  danger— he  often  revolved  it 
in  his  mind,  yet  his  resolution  remained  unshaken.  At 
iength  the  midnight  came,  and  its  holy  stillness  rested 
on  the  surrounding  forest ;— it  passed— and  slowly  and 
cautiously  he  arose.  All  was  silent  save  the  deep 
drawn  breath  of  the  savage  sleepers.  The  voice  of  the 
wind  was  scarcely  audible  on  the  hills,  and  the  moon,  at 
times,  would  shine  brightly  through  the  scattered  clouds, 
and  silver  the  broad  lake,  as  though  the  robe  of  an 
angel  had  fallen  on  its  sleeping  v/aters. 

Isaac  stepped  softly  and  tremblingly  over  the  tawny 
bodies,  lest  they  should  awake  and  discover  his  design, 
and  secured  his  master's  fire-works,  and  a  portion  of  his 
moose-meat  and  bread;  these  he  carried  to  a  little  dis- 
tance from  the  wigwam,  and  concealed  them  in  a  clump 
of  bushes.  He  then  returned,  and  bending  over  Jo- 
seph, who  had,  all  this  time,  been  snoring  m  his 
sleep,  carefully  shook  him.  Joseph,  more  asleep  than 
awake,  turned  partly  over,  and  asked  aloud,  "what  do 
you  want  ?" — This  egregious  blunder  alarmed  Isaac, 
and  he  instantly  laid  down  in  his  proper  place,  and  be- 
gan to  snore  as  loudly  as  any  of  them.  Soon  as  his 
alarm  had  somewhat  subsided,  he  again  arose,  and  lis- 
tened long  for  the  heavy  breath  of  the  sleepers.  He 
determined  to  fly  from  his  master,  before  the  morning 


81 

dawned.  Perceiving  that  they  all  slept,  he  resolved  to 
make  his  escape,  without  again  attempting  to  awake 
Joseph,  lest,  by  his  thoughtlessness,  he  should  again  ptrt 
him  in  jeopardy.  He  then  arose  and  stepped  softly  out 
of  the  wigwam,  and  walked  slowly  and  cautiously  from 
it,  until  he  had  nearly  reached  the  place  where  his  pro- 
visions were  concealed,  when  he  heard  footsteps  ap- 
proaching hastily  behind  him.  With  a  beating  heart 
he  looked  backward,  and  saw  Joseph,  who  had  aroused 
himself,  and  finding  that  his  companion  had  gone,  con- 
cluded to  follow.  They  then  secured  the  fire-works 
and  provisions,  and  without  chart  or  compass,  struck 
into  the  woods  in  a  southerly  direction,  aiming  for  the 
distant  settlement  of  Haverhill.  They  ran  at  the  top 
of  their  speed  until  day-light  appeared,  when  they  con- 
cealed themselves  in  a  hollow  log,  deeming  it  too  dan- 
gerous to  continue  their  journey  in  the  day  time. 

Their  master,  when  he  awoke  in  the  morning,  was 
astonished  to  find  his  prisoners  had  escaped,  and  imme- 
diately collected  a  small  party  with  their  dogs,  and  pur- 
sued them.  The  dogs  struck  upon  the  tracks,  and  in  a 
short  time  came  up  to  the  log  where  the  boys  were  con- 
cealed, when  they  made  a  stand,  and  began  a  loud 
barking.  The  boys  trembled  with  fear  lest  they  should 
be  re-captured,  and  perhaps  fall  beneath  the  tomahawk 
of  their  enraged  master.  In  this  situation,  they  hardly 
knew  what  was  best  to  do — but  they  spoke  kindly  to 
the  dogs,  who  knew  their  voices,  ceased  barking,  and 
wagged  their  tails  with  delight.  They  then  threw  be- 
fore them  all  the  moose-meat  they  had  taken  from  the 
wigwam,  which  the  dogs  instantly  siezed,  and  began  to 
devour  it  as  though  they  highly  relished  so  choice  a 
breakfast.  While  they  were  thus  employed,  the  Indians 
made  their  appearance,  and  passed  close  to  the  log  in 
which  they  were  concealed,  without  noticing  the  em- 
ployment of  their  dogs.  The  boys  saw  them  as  they 
passed,  and  were  nearly  breathless  with  anxiety.  They 
followed  them  with  their  eyes  till  they  were  out  of  sight, 
and  hope  again  took  possession  of  their  bosoms.  The 
dogs  soon  devoured  their  meat,  and  trotted  [after  theiv 
masters. 


82 

They  lay  in  the  log  during  the  day,  and  at  night 
piirsued  their  journey,  taking  a  different  route  from  the 
one  travelled  by  the  Indians.     They  made   only  one  or 
two  meals  on  their  bread,  and  after  that  was  gone  they 
were  obliged  to  subsist  on  roots  and  buds.     On  the  sec- 
ond day  they  concealed  themselves,  but  travelled  the 
third  night  and  day  without   resting;   and   on  that   day, 
towards  night,  they  luckily  killed  a  pigeon  and  a  turtle, 
a  part  of  which  they  ate  raw,  not  daring  to  build  a  fire, 
lest  they  should  be  discovered.     The  fragments  of  their 
unsavory  meal  they  carried  with  them,  and  ate  of  them 
as  their  hunger   required,  making  their  dessert  on  such 
roots  as  they  happened  to  find.     They  continued  their 
journey  night  and  day  as  fast  as  their  wearied  and  man- 
gled limbs  would  carry  them.     On  the  sixth  day,  they 
struck  into  an  Indian  path  and  followed  it  till  night,  when 
they  suddenly  came  within  sight  of  an  Indian  encamp- 
ment, saw  their  savage   enemy   seated  around  the  fire, 
and  distinctly  heard  tneir  voices.     This  alarmed  them 
exceedingly;  and  wearied  and  exhausted  as  they  were, 
they  had  rather  seek  an  asylum  in  the  wide  forest,  and 
die  within  the  shadow  of  its  trees,  than  trust  to  the  kind- 
ness of  foes  Avhose  bosoms  had  never  been  moved  by  its 
silent   workings.     They   precipitately   fled,  fearing  lest 
they  should  be   discovered   and   pursued,  and   all  night 
retraced  their   steps.     The    morning    came    and .  found 
them  seated  side  by  side  on  the  bank  of  a  small  stream, 
their  feet  torn  and  covered  with  blood,  and  each  of  them 
weeping  bitterly  over  his   misfortunes.     Thus  far  their 
hearts    had  been    filled  with  courage,  and  their  hopes 
grew,  and  were  invigorated  with  the   pleasant  thoughts 
of  home,  as  they  flitted  vividly  across  their  minds.     But 
now  their  courage  had  fled,  and  their  hopes  had  given 
way  to  despair.     They  thought   of  the   green  fields  in 
which  they  had  so  often  played — of  the  tall  trees  whose 
branches  had  so  often  overshadowed  them — and  of  the 
hearth  around  which  they  had  delighted  to  gather  with 
their   brothers   and  sisters,  on   a  winter's  evening,  and 
listen  to  a  story  told  by  their  parents.      They  thought  of 
these,  yea,  of  more — but   as  things  from  which   they 
were  forever    parted — as  things  that    had    once   given 
them  happiness,  but  had  forever  passed  away. 


83 

They  were,  however,  unwilUng  to  give  up  all  further 
exertions.  The  philosophy  of  Isaac  taught  him  that 
the  stream  must  eventually  lead  to  a  large  body  of 
water,  and  after  refreshing  themselves  with  a  few  roots, 
they  again  commenced  their  journey,  and  followed  its 
windings.  They  continued  to  follow  it  during  that  day 
and  a  part  of  the  night.  On  the  eighth  morning,  Joseph 
found  himself  completely  exhausted;  his  limbs  were 
weak  and  mangled,  his  body  was  emaciated,  and  despair 
was  the  mistress  of  his  bosom.  Isaac  endeavored  to 
encourage  him  to  proceed;  he  dug  roots  for  him  to  eat, 
and  brought  water  to  quench  his  thirst — but  all  was  in 
vain.  He  laid  himself  down  on  the  bank  of  the  stream, 
in  the  shade  of  the  budding  trees,  to  die,  far  from  his 
friends,  with  none  for  companions  but  the  howling  beasts 
of  the  forest.  Isaac  left  him  to  his  fate,  and  with  a 
bleeding  heart,  slowly  and  wearily  pursued  his  journey. 
He  had  travelled  but  a  short  distance  when  he  came 
to  a  newly  raised  building.  Rejoiced  at  his  good  for- 
tune, and  believing  that  inhabitants  were  nigh,  he  im- 
mediately retraced  his  steps,  and  soon  found  Joseph  in 
the  same  place  and  position  in  which  he  left  him.  He 
told  him  what  he  had  seen,  talked  very  encouragingly, 
and  after  rubbing  his  limbs  a  long  while,  he  succeeded 
in  making  him  stand  on  his  {eet.  They  then  started 
together,  Isaac  part  of  the  time  leading  him  by  the 
hand,  and  part  of  the  time  carrying  him  on  his  back; 
and  in  this  manner,  with  their  naked  limbs  mangled  and 
wearied  with  travelling,  their  strength  exhausted  by 
sickness,  and  their  bodies  emaciated  almost  to  skeletons, 
they  arrived  at  Saco  fort,  sometime  in  the  following 
night. 

Thus,  on  the  ninth  night,  they  arrived  among  their 
countrymen,  after  travelling  over  an  immense  forest, 
subsisting  on  a  little  bread,  on  buds  and  berries,  and  on 
one  raw  turtle  and  a  pigeon,  and  without  seeing  the  face 
of  a  friend,  or  warming  themselves  over  a  fire.  Isaac, 
soon  as  he  regained  his  strength,  started  for  Haverhill, 
and  arrived  safely  at  his  father's  dwelling,  who  had  heard 
nothing  from  him  since  he  was  taken,  and  expected 
never  to  see  him  again.     But  Joseph  had  more  to  suffer 


84 


^he  was  seized  with  a  raging  fever  soon  as  he  reached 

the  fort,  and  was  for  a  long  time  confined  to  his  bed. 
His  father,  when  Isaac  returned,  went  to  Saco,  and 
brought  home  his  long  lost  son,  soon  as  his  health  per- 
mitted.* 

1696. 

On  the  11th  May,  a  Committee  was  chosen  to  hire  a 
man  who  would  build  the  Meeting-house  by  the  ''  lump" 
—to  examine  the  houses  for  public  worship  m  the  neigh- 
boring towns,  and  draw  up  such  a  plan  as  they  thought 
would  best  accommodate  the  inhabitants.  On  the  28th 
of  July  next  the  doings  of  the  Committee  were  read  be- 
fore a  full  meeting,  when  much  contention  again  arose 
about  the  place  on  which  it  should  stand;  and  only  that 
part  of  the  Committee's  report  was  accepted  which  re- 
lated to  its  dimensions,  which  was  "  fifty  teet  in  length, 
forty  feet  in  breadth,  and  eighteen  feet  studd.  t  /he 
meeting  was  then  dissolved,  and  nothing  more  was  done 
until  the  next  year.  i  i.r     -o 

13th  Aug.  Old  John  Hoyt,  so  called,  and  Mr.  Fe- 
ters,  a  youn|  man,  both  of  Amesbury,  were  slain  by  the 
Indians  on  the  road  between  Andover  and  Haverhill.  ^ 

15th  Auo-.  Jonathan  Haines,  who  lived  in  the  wes- 
terly part  of  the  town,  and  his  four   children,  J  IMary, 

*  We  do  not  recollect  of  ever  seeing  an  account  of  this  tmly 
heroic  escape  in  print.  The  "  Sketch  of  Haverhill';  merely  gives  it 
a  passmg  notice,  without  going  into  particulars.  It  is  deemed  a  dar- 
ing attempt  on  the  part  of  the  boys,  considering  their  ages  and  the 
great  distance  they  were  from  their  homes;  and  as  such  was  weU 
worthy  of  being  foithfully  recorded.  It  has  been  taken  wholly  from 
tradition-but,  ftom  so  many  lips,  and  the  narrators  agreed  so  per- 
fectly in  all  the  essential  points,  we  have  no  hesitation  in  declanng 
that  every  word  of  it  is  truth.  It  has  been  preserved  in  the  fiumhes 
and  handed  down  from  father  to  son  with  singular  accuracy;  and  is 
even  now,  often  told  bv  their  descendants,  to  help  fi  1  up  a  winter 
evening's  amusement.  The  Rev.  Abiel  Abbot,  while  he  ^vas  pastor 
of  the  first  parish,  collected  the  facts,  and  left  themm  manuscript. 

t  Committee's  Report. 

±  John  Pike's  Journal. 


85 

Joseph,  Ruth,  and  Elizabeth,  were  captivated  by  the  Iii* 
dians.  The  children  were  in  a  field  near  Bradley's  Mills, 
picking  beans,  and  the  father  was  reaping  near  by.  The 
Indians,  with  their  captives,  immediately  started  for 
Penacook,  [Concord.]  When  they  arrived,  they  sepa- 
rated, and  divided  their  prisoners — -one  party  taking  the 
father  and  Joseph,  and  the  other  the  three  girls.  The 
party  which  took  the  men  started  for  their  homes,  in 
Maine,  where  they  soon  arrived.  The  prisoners  had 
remained  with  them  but  a  short  time,  before  they  escap- 
ed; and  after  travelling  two  or  three  days  with  little  or 
nothing  to  satisfy  their  craving  appetites,  the  old  man 
became  wholly  exhausted,  and  laid  down  beneath  the 
branching  trees  to  die.  The  son,  v/ho  was  young  and 
vigorous,  finding  his  efforts  vain  to  encourage  his  father, 
started  onward.  He  soon  found  himself  upon  a  hill, 
where  he  climbed  a  tall  tree  to  discover  signs  of  civili- 
zation; and  heard  indistinctly  the  sound  of  a  saw-mill. 
With  a  glad  heart  he  hastily  descended,  and  following 
the  sound,  soon  arrived  at  the  settlement  of  Saco.  Here 
he  told  the  story  of  his  escape,  the  forlorn  situation  of 
his  father,  and  getting  assistance  and  a  bottle  of  milk, 
hastened  back  to  him,  and  found  him  still  lying  on  the 
ground  without  the  expectation  of  ever  seeing  the  face 
of  a  friend.  He  drank  some  of  the  milk,  which  revived 
him  considerably,  and  with  some  assistance,  reached 
Saco,  Here  they  remained  until  their  strength  was 
somevWiat  recruited,  when  they  started  for  Haverhill, 
where  they  arrived  without  any  further  difficulty. 

The  party  which  took  the  three  girls,  went  to  Can- 
ada, where,  it  is  presumed,  they  were  sold  to  the 
French; — -for  Joseph  Haynes,  a  relative,  visited  them 
some  years  after,  and  found  one  of  them  married  to  a 
Frenchman.  They  had  all  forgotten  their  mother  tongue, 
and  were  obliged  to  converse  with  Mr.  Haynes  through 
an  interpreter.  Though  they  had  forgotten  the  language 
of  their  childhood,  they  had  not  forgotten  its  incidents — 
for  one  of  them,  a  short  time  before  she  was  captivated, 
had  one  of  her  fmgers  accidentally  cut  off  by  a  young 
lad,  a  son  of  a  neighbor;  and  she  asked  Mr.  Haynes  if 
the  lad  was  then  living.  They  had  become  so  fascina- 
ted with  the  manners  and  customs  of  the   French,  that 


86 

Mr.  Haynes  could  not  persuade  tl^e,^,.t«/^^";*"/^.^^^,f ' 
relatives.  But  there  they  lived  and  died,  and  their  de- 
scendants are  now  in  that  quarter.  ,  u:^  ^ 
Timothy  Eaton  petitioned  the  town  to  grant  him  a 
bounty,  more  than  the  country  allowed  for  killing  a  iul 
orown  she-wolf  on  the  ox-common.  The  town  granted 
hi'n  ten  shillings  -  for  killing  said  wolf  since  he  declares 
it  was  a  bitch  wolf  and  that  she  will  not  bring  any  more 

''^'p^e'ter    Pettee,    says    the    Recorder,     "  entered    a 
strange  motion  for  keeping   a  tavern  at  his  house,  and 
offered  his  conditions,  which,  li  done   or   endeavoied 
would  have  been  prejudicial  to  the  town.     Bcmg  move 
and  fully  agitated  the  town  declared   against  Lib  havmg 
anv  allowance  for  it."  u     ^     •    „^  +u,. 

■■  The  winter   of  this  year  was  the  coldest  since  the 
settlement  of  New-England.* 

On  the  1.5th  t  of  March,  a  body  J  of  Indians  made 
a  descent  on  the  westerlv  part  of  the  town,  and  approach- 
ed the  house  of  Mr.  Thomas  Dustin.  ^  They  came  as 
thev  were  wont,  arrayed  with  all  the  terrors  oi  a  savage 
war-dress,  with  their  muskets  charged  for  tiie  contest, 
their  tomahawks    drawn    for   the    slaughter,    and   their 

*  oewall's  Journal.  ,         .         •       i      <.  ^   i 

tThe  day  on  which  the  attack  took  place,  is  variously  stated. 

The  Magnaiia'savs  it  .happened  oa  the  tifth,^and  Mr  Drake    in  hi. 

Appendix  to  "  the  History  of  King  PhiUp's  Vv  ar.  Sec.''  f-"^  -  o^;  ; 

5,:m>e  en-or.     I  have  my  information  from  the  Town  Records,  ^^here 

the  deaths  are  dated  on  the  15th  of  March,  1696-7. 

-The  Appendix  to  the  History  of  King  Phdhp's  ^\ar,  says  about 

'"Ttos  name"  was  variously  spelt ;-in  the  Town  Records,  it  is 
.pelt  Dnst.i,  Duston  and  Dustan.  In  a  Pett.on  to  the  General 
(^ourt,  he  signs  his  name  Dunstan.  Perhaps  he  was  a  descendant  of 
^t  Dunstan  in  the  monkish  legends,  who  fouglit  and  vanqu<shed  the 
de'vil,  by  pinching  his  nose  with  a  pa.r  of  red-hot  tongs.  Ihe  name 
js  now  spelt  Dustin. 


87 

scalping  knives  unsheathed  and  glittering  in  the  sun- 
beams. Mr.  Dustin,  at  this  time,  was  engaged  abroad 
in  his  daily  labor.  When  the  terrific  shouts  of  the 
blood-hounds  first  fell  on  his  ear,  he  seized  his  gun, 
mounted  his  horse,  and  hastened  to  his  house  with  the 
hope  of  escorting  to  a  place  of  safety  his  family,  which 
consisted  of  his  wife,  whom  he  tenderly  and  passionately 
loved,  and  who  had  been  confined  only  seven  days  in 
childbed,  her  nurse,  Mrs.  Mary  Nefi'',*  and  eight  young 
children.  Immediately  upon  his  arrival,  he  rushed  into 
his  house,  and  found  it  a  scene  of  confusion — the  women 
trembling  tor  their  safety,  and  the  children  weeping  and 
calling  on  their  mother  for  protection.  He  instantly 
ordered  seven  of  his  children  to  fly  in  an  opposite  direc- 
tion from  that  in  which-  the  danger  was  approaching, 
and  went  himself  to  assist  his  wife.  But  he  was  too 
late — before  she  could  arise  from  her  bed,  the  enemy 
were  upon  them. 

Mr.  Dustin  seeing  there  was  no  hope  of  saving  his 
wife  from  the  clutches  of  the   fee,  flew  from  the  house, 
mounted  his  horse,  and  rode   full  speed  after  his  fiying 
children.     The  agonized  father  supposed  it  impossible 
to   save   them   all,  and   he   deterinined    to    snatch  from 
death,  the  child  which  shared  the  most  of  his  aiTections. 
He  soon  came  up  with  the  infant  brood — he  heard  their 
glad  voices  and  saw  the  cheerful  looks  that   overspread 
their  countenances,  for  they  felt  themselves  safe,  while 
under  his  protection.     He  looked  for  the  child  of  his 
love — Vvhere    was    it  ? — He    scanned    the    little    group 
from  the  oldest  to  the  youngest,  but  he  could  not  find  it. 
They  all  fondly  loved  him — they  called  him  by  the  en- 
dearing  title    of  father,    were    flesh  of  his    flesh,   and 
stretched  out  their  little  arms  toward  Mm  for  protection. 
He  gazed  upon  tbem,  and  faltered  in  his  resolution,  for 
there  was  none   whom  he   could  leave  behind,  sjid  in- 
deed, what  parent  could,  in  such  a  situation,  select  thei 
child   which  shared  the    most    of  his    affections  ? — He 
could  not  do  it,  and  therefore  resolved  to  defend  them 
from  the  murderers,  or  die  at  their  side. 

*She  was  the  daughter  of  George  Corliss,  and  married  William 
Neff, — her  husband  went  after  tlie  army,  and  died  at  Pemaquid,  in 
February,  1688. 


88 

A  small  party  of  the  Indians  pursued  Mr.  Dusti'n,  as 
lie  fled  from  the  house,  and  soon  overtook  him  and  his 
flying  children.  They  did  not,  however,  approach  very 
near,  for  they  saw  his  determination,  and  feared  the  ven- 
geance of  a  father, — but  skulked  behind  the  trees  and 
fences,  and  fired  upon  him  and  his  little  company.  Mr. 
Dustin  dismounted  from  his  horse,  placed  himself  in 
the  rear  of  his  children,  and  returned  the  fire  of  the 
enemy  often  and  with  good  success.  In  thfs  manner  he 
retreated  for  more  than  a  mile,  alternately  encouraging 
his  terrified  charoe  andloadinof  and  firing  his  ffurr,  uiiti! 
he  lodged  them  safely  in  a  forsaken  house.  The  In- 
dians, finding  that  they  could'  not  conquer  him,  returned 
to  their  companions,  expecting,  no  doubt,  that  they 
should  there  find  victims,  on  which  they  might  exercise 
their  savage  cruelty. 

It  is  truly  astonishing  that  no  one  of  that  little  com- 
pany was  killed  or  wounded.  When  we  reflect  upon 
the  skill  of  the  Indians  as  marksmen,  upon  their 
great  superiority  of  strength,  and  the  advantage  they 
possessed  in  skulking  behind  every  fence  and  tree,  it 
cannot  but  be  confessed  that  the  arm  of  the  Almighty 
was  outstretched  for  their  preservation.  JVot  a  bail 
from  the  enemy  took  efl^ect;  but,  so  surely,  says  tradi- 
tion, as  Mr.  Dustin  raised  his  gun  to  his  eye,  so  surely 
some  one  of  the  enemy  would  welter  in  his  blood. 

The  party  which  entered  the  house  w^hen  JMr.  Dus- 
tin left  it,  found  Mrs.  Dustin  in  bed,  and  the  nurse 
attempting  to  fly  with  the  infant  in  her  arms.  They 
ordered  Mrs.  Dustin  to  rise  instantfy,  while  one  of  themt 
took  the  infant  from  the  arms  of  the  nurse,  carried  it 
out,  and  dashed  out  its  brains  against  an  apple-tree.*' 
After  plundering  the  house  they  set  it  on  fire,  and  com- 
menced their  retreat,  though  Mrs.  Dustin  had  hut  partly 
dressed  herself,  and  A\'as  without  a  shoe  on  one  of  her 
feet.  Mercy  was  a  stranger  to  the  breasts  of  the  con- 
(^uerors,  and  the  unhappy  w^omen  expected  to  receive 

*  We  have  been  informed  by  a  gentleman,  that  he  has  heard  his 
grandmother,  who  lived  to  an  advanced  age,  often  relate  this  fact, 
and  that  she  had  frequently  ate  apples  that  grew  on  the  same  tree. 
We  have  also  been  informed  by  an  aged  female,  that  she  had  ofteij 
heard  her  mother  tell  of  eatijig  of  the  fruit  of  the  same  tree.. 


89 

no  kindnesses  from  fneir  hands.  The  weather  at  the 
time  was  exceedingly  cokl — the  March-wind  blew  keen 
and  piercing,  and  the  earth  was  alternately  covered  with 
snow  and  deep  mud. 

They  travelled  twelve  miles  the  first  day,*  and  con- 
tinued their  retreat,  day  by  day,  following  a  circuitous 
route,  until  they  reached  the  home  of  the  Indian,  who 
claimed  them  as  his  property,  which  was  on  a  small 
Island,  now  called  Dustin's  Island,  at  the  mouth  of 
Contoocook  River,  about  six  miles  above  the  State 
House  in  Concord,  New-Hampshire.  Notwithstanding 
their  intense  suffering  for  the  death  of  the  child — their 
anxiety  for  those  whom  they  had  left  behind,  and  who 
they  expected  had  been  cruelly  butchered — their  suffer- 
ings from  cold  and  hunger,  and  from  sleeping  on  the 
damp  earth,  with  nothing  but  an  inclement  sky  for  a 
covering — and  their  terror  for  themselves,  lest  the  arm 
that,  as  they  supposed,  had  slaughtered  those  whom 
they  dearly  loved,  would  soon  be  made  red  with  their 
blood, — notwithstanding  all  this,  they  performed  the 
journey  without  yielding,  and  arrived  at  their  destination 
in  comparative  health. 

The  family  of  their  Indian  master  consisted  of  two 
men,  three  women  and  seven  children;  besides  an  En- 
glish boy, I  named  Samuel  Lennardson,  who  was  taken 
prisoner  about  a  year  previous,  at  Worcester.  Their 
master,  some  years  before,  had  lived  in  the  family  of 
Rev.  Mr.  Rowlandson,  of  Lancaster,  and  he  told  Mrs. 
Dustin  that,  ''  when  he  prayed  the  English  way  he 
thought  it  was  good,  but  now  he  found  the  French  way 
better.'- J 

These  unfortunate  women  had  been  but  a  few  days 
with  the  Indians,  when  they  were  informed  that  they 
must  soon  start  for  a  distant  Indian  settlement,  and  that, 
upon  their  arrival,  they  would  be  obliged  to  conform  to 
the  regulations  always  required  of  prisoners,  whenever 
they  entered  the  village,  which  was,  to  be  stripped, 
scourged,  and  run  the  gauntlet  in  a  state  of  nudity. 
The  gauntlet  consisted  of  two  files  of  Indians  of  both 

♦Appendix  to  History  of  King  Philip's  War — page  317, 
t  Hutchinson,  vol.  II.  page  101. 
+  Sevv^all's  Diary. 

8* 


£0 

sexes  and  of  all  ages,  containing  all  that  could  be  muS" 
tered  in  the  village;  and  the  unhappy  prisoners  were 
obliged  to  run  between  them,  when  they  were  scoffed  at 
and  beaten  by  each  one  as  they  passed,  and  were  some- 
times marks  at  wliich  the  younger  Indiaios  threw  their 
hatchets.  This  cruel  custom  was  often  practised  by 
many  of  the  tribes,  and  not  unfrequently  the  poor  pris- 
oner sunk  beneath  it.  Soon  as  the  two  women  were 
informed  of  this,  they  determined  to  escape  as  speedily 
as  possible.  They  could  not  bear  to  be  exposed  to  the 
scoffs  and  unrestrained  gaze  of  their  savage  conquerors 
— death  w^ould  be  preferable.  Mrs.  Dustin  soon  planned 
a  mode  of  escape,  appointed  the  31st  inst.  for  its  accom- 
plishment, and  prevailed  upon  her  nurse  and  the  boy  to 
join  her.  The  Indians  kept  no  watch — for  the  boy  had 
lived  with  them  so  long  they  considered  him  as  one  of 
their  children,  and  they  did  not  expect  that  the  women, 
unadvised,  and  unaided,  would  attempt  to  escape,  when 
success,  at  the  best,  appeared  so  desperate. 

On  the  day  previous  to  the  31st,  Mrs.  Dustin  wished 
to  learn  on  v.hat  part  of  the  body  the  Indians  struck 
their  victims  when  they  would  despatch  them  suddenly, 
and  how  they  took  off  a  scalp.  With  this  view  she  in- 
^^tructed  the  boy  to  make  inquiries  of  one  of  the  men. 
Accordingly,  at  a  convenient  opportunity,  he  asked  one 
of  them  where  he  would  strike  a  man,  if  he  >yould  kill 
him  instantly,  and  how  to  take  off  a  scalp.  The  man 
laid  his  finger  on  his  temple — "  strike  'em  there,"  said 
he;  and  then  instructed  him  how  to  scalp.*  The  boy 
then. communicated  his  information  to  Mrs.  Dustinv 

The  night  at  length  arrived,  and  the  whole  family 
retired  to  rest,  little  suspecting  that  the  most  of  them 
would  never  behold  another  sun.  Long  before  the 
break  of  day,  Mrs.  Dustin  arose,  and  having  ascertain- 
ed that  they  were  all  in  a  deep  sleep,  awoke  her  nurse 
and  the  boy,  when  they  armed  themselves  with  toma- 
hawks, and  despatched  ten  of  the  twelve.  A  favorite 
boy  they  designedly  left;  and  one  of  the  squaws,  whom 
they  left  for  dead,  jumped  up,  and  ran  with  him  into 
the  woods.     Mrs.  Dustin  killed  her  master,  and  Samuel 

*  Sewall's  Diary,  and  tradition. 


91 

Lennardson  despatched  the  very  Indian  who  (old  hixit 
where  to  strike,  and  how  to  take  off  a  scalp.*  The 
xleed  was  accomplished  before  the  (fay  began  to  break, 
and  after  securing  what  little  provision  the  wigwam  of 
their  dead  master  afforded,  they  scuttled  all  the  boats 
but  one,  to  prevent  pursuit,  and  with  that,  started  for 
their  homes.  Mrs.  Dustin  took  with  her  a  gun  that 
belonged  to  her  master,  and  the  tomahawk  "j"  with  which 
she  committed  the  tragical  deed.  They  had  not  pro- 
ceeded far,  however,  when  Mrs.  Dustin  perceived  that 
they  had  neglected  to  take  their  scalps,  and  feared  that 
her  neighbors,  if  they  ever  arrived  at  their  homes, 
would  not  credit  their  story,  and  would  ask  them  for 
some  token,  or  proof.  She  told  her  fears  to  her  com- 
panions, and  they  immediately  returned  to  the  silent 
wigwam,  took  ofi'the  scalps  of  the  fallen,  and  put  them 
into  a  bag.  They  then  started  on  their  journey  anew, 
with  the  gun,  tomahawk,  and  the  bleeding  trophies, — pal- 
pable witnesses  of  their  heroic  and  unparalleled  deed. 

A  long  and  weary  journey  was  before  them,  but  they 
commenced  it  with  cheerful  hearts,  each  alternately 
rowing  and  steering  their  little  bark.  Though  they  had 
escaped  from  the  clutches  of  their  unfeeling  master,  still 
they  were  surrounded  with  dangers.  They  were  thinly 
clad — the  sky  was  still  inclement — and  they  were  liable 
to  be  re-captured  by  strolling  bands  of  Indians,  or  by 
those  who  would  undoubtedly  pursue  them  so  soon  as 
the  squaw  and  the  boy  had  reported  their  departure,  and 
the  terrible  vengeance  they  had  taken;  and  were  they 
again  made  prisoners,  they  well  knew  that  a  speedy 
death  would  follow.  This  array  of  danger,  however, 
did  not  appal  them,  for  home  was  their  beacon-light, 
and  the  thoughts  of  their  fire-sides,  nerved  their  hearts. 
They  continued  to  drop  silently  down  the  river,  keeping 
a  good  look-out  for  strolling  Indians;  and  in  the  night 
two  of  them  only  slept,  while  the  third  managed  the 
boat.  In  this  manner  they  pursued  their  journey,  until 
they  arrived  safely,  with  their  trophies,  to  their  homes, 

♦M.  D.  Fairfield's  Diary,  and  Sewall's. 

t  It  has  not  been  ascertained  whether  Mrs.  Neff  or  the  boy  took 
then-  tomahawks  or  any  thing  else,  with  them-  it  ie  presumed,  how- 
ever, that  they  did  not. 


92 

totally  unexpected  by  their  mourning  friends,  who  sup- 
posed that  they  had  been  butchered  by  their  ruthless 
conquerors.  It  must  truly  have  been  an  affecting  meet- 
ing tor  Mrs.  Dustin,  who  likewise  supposed  that  all  she 
loved — all  she  held  dear  on  earth — was  laid  in  the  silent 
tomb. 

After  recovering  from  the  fatigue  of  the  journey, 
they  started  for  Boston,  where  they  arrived  on  the  21st 
of  April.  They  carried  with  them  the  gun  and  toma- 
hawk, and  their  ten  scalps — those  witnesses  that  would 
not  lie;  and  while  there,  the  General  Court  gave  them 
fifty  pounds,*  as  a  reward  for  their  heroism.  The  re- 
port of  their  daring  deed  soon  spread  into  every  part  of 
the  country,  and  when  Colonel  ISicholson,  Governor  of 
Maryland,  heard  of  it,  he  sent  them  a  very  valuable 
present,!  and  many  presents  were  also  made  to  them  by 
their  neighbors.  J 

Various  opinions  are  afloat  concerning  the  justness 
of  this  certainly  heroic  deed.  Perhaps  the  strict  moral- 
izer  would  say  that,  the  fear  of  the  gauntlet,  which, 
perhaps,  appeared  worse  to  them  than  torture  or  death, 
or  of  suffering  their  danger  anew,  would  not  justify  the 
act.  And  it  surely  seems  that  she  had  lost  a  great  por-  , 
tion  of  that  sensibility,  that  fear  of  blood,  that  sympathy 
for  another's  wo,  which  is  at  once  the  delight  and  orna- 
ment of  her  sex;  and  which  we  have  been  taught  to 
believe  is  an  inmate  and  constant  virtue  of  her  bosom. 
But  a  prisoner  among  the  savages — a  wife  who  has 
seen  her  dwelling  in  flames,  her  infant  cruelly  slaugh- 
tered, and  who  expects  that  her  husband  and  the  rest  of 

*  Hutchinson. 

t  Magnalia. 

tM.  D.  Fail-field  thus  speaks  of  this  exploit  in  his  Diary.  "  April 
21,  1696-7.  At  the  latter  end  of  this  month,  two  women  and  a 
young  lad  that  had  been  taken  captive  from  Haverhill  the  March 
before,  watching  their  opportunity  when  the  Indians  were  asleep, 
killed  ten  of  them,  scalped  them  all,  and  came  home  to  Boston, 
brought  a  gun  with  some  other  things.  The  Chief  of  these  Indians 
took  one  of  the  women,  captive  when  she  had  been  in  childbed  but 
a  few  days,  and  knocked  her  child  in  head  before  her  eyes,  while 
the  women  killed  and  scalped  that  very  Indian.  This  was  done  just 
abort  the  time  the  Council  of  this  Province  had  concluded  on  a  day 
of  fasting  and  prayer  throughout  the  province." 


93 

her  children  have  been  butchered,  who  is  herself  threat- 
ened with  immediate  torture,  and  with  dif^grace  worse 
than  death — a  wife  in  such  a  situation  would  not  be  apt 
to  critically  analyze  the  morality  of  the  deed. 

But  let  what  will  be  said  of  her  conduct,  there  is 
something  in  the  actions  of  the  father  and  husband,  dis- 
interested perhaps,  beyond  comparison,  and  noble  be- 
yond example.  But  few  acts,  if  any,  are  recorded  oa 
the  page  of  history,  more  exalted,  more  generous,  more 
free  from  every  gross  and  selfish  passion  of  the  heart. 
In  most  of  the  daring  and  noble  actions  that  are  spoken 
of  with  enthusiasm  by  historians,  we  find  that  the  actors 
were  prompted  by  some  powerful  stimulus — glory,  am- 
bition, or  a  lust  for  gain — which  acted  as  a  spur  to  their 
flagging  spirits.  But  in  this  he  v/as  not  urged  on  by 
ambition;  he  thought  not  of  glory;  he  cared  not  for  his 
property; — but  it  was  only  a  deep,  chaste  and  uncon- 
taminated  love  for  his  wife  and  children,  that  prompted 
him  to  the  action. 

Mrs.  Dustin  was  the  daughter  of  Michael  and  Han- 
nah Emerson,  and  the  eldest  of  fifteen  children.  She 
was  born  23d  December,  1657,  and  was  married  to 
Thomas  Dustin,  3d  December,  1677.  She  had  thirteen 
children,  Hannah,  Elizabeth,  Mary,  Thomas,  Nathaniel^ 
John,  Sarah,  Abigail,  Jonathan,  Timothy  and  Mehita- 
ble,  twins,  Martha,  whose  brains  were  dashed  out 
against  an  apple-tree,  and  Lydia.  Mrs.  Dustin  was  in 
the  fortieth  year  of  her  age  when  she  was  captured  by 
the  Indians.  The  time  when  she,  or  her  husband  died, 
cannot  be  positively  ascertained.  The  Town  Records 
are  defective  in  this  particular.  Their  descendants  are 
quite  numerous,  both  in  this  State  and  in  New-Hamp- 
shire. 

The  following  beautiful  lines  are  from  the  pen  of 
Mrs.  Sarah  J.  Hale,  Editor  of  the  Ladies'  Magazine^ 
and  copied  from  the  Boston  Lyceum. 

THE  FATHER'S  CHOICE. 

Now  tly,  as  flies  the  rnslung  wind- 
Urge,  urge,  thy  lagging  steed  ! 

The  savage  yell  is  fierce  behiudj 
And  life  is  on  tUy  speed,. 


94 

And  from  those  dear  ones  make  thy  choice 

The  group  he  wildly  eyed, 
When  "  lather !"  burst  from  every  voice, 

And  "  child  !"  his  heart  re]ilied. 

There's  one  that  now  can  share  his  toil, 

And  one  he  meant  for  fume. 
And  one  that  wears  her  mother's  smile, 

And  one  that  bears  her  name. 

And  one  will  prattle  on  his  knee, 

Or  slumber  on  his  brearit ; 
And  one  whose  joys  of  infancy, 

Are  still  by  smiles  expressifd. 

They  feel  no  fear  while  he  is  near  ; 

He'll  shield  them  from  the  foe ; 
But  oh  !  his  ear  must  thrill  to  hear 

Their  shriekings,  should  he  go. 

In  vain  his  quivering  lips  would  speak. 
No  words  his  thoughts  allow  ; 

There's  burning  tears  upon  his  cheek — 
Death's  marble  on  his  brow. 

And  twice  he  smote  his  clenched  hand — 

Then  bade  his  children  fly  ! 
And  turned,  and  e'en  that  savage  band 

Cowered  at  his  wrathful  eye. 

Swift  as  the  lightning  winged  with  death, 
Flashed  forth  the  quivering  flame  ! 

Their  fiercest  warrior  bows  beneath 
The  father's  deadly  aim. 

Not  the  wild  cries,  that  rend  the  skies, 

His  heart  of  purpose  move  ; 
He  saves  his  children,  or  he  dies 

The  sacrifice  of  love. 

Ambition  goads  the  conqueror  on. 
Hate  points  the  murderer's  brand  — 

But  love  and  duty,  these  alone 
Can  nerve  the  good  man's  hand. 

The  hero  may  resign  the  field. 

The  coward  murd'rer  flee  ; 
He  cannot  fear,  he  will  not  yield, 

That  strikes,  sweet  love,  for  thee. 

They  come,  they  come — he  heeds  no  cry, 

Save  the  soft  child-like  wail, 
*'  O  father  save  I"  "  My  children,  fly  !" 

Were  mingled  on  the  gale. 


95 

And  firmer  still  he  drew  hia  breath, 

And  sterner  flasliM  his  eye, 
As  fast  he  hurls  the  leaden  death, 

Btill  shouting,  "  children  fly  !" 

No  shadow  on  his  brow  appeared, 
Nor  tremor  sliook  his  frame, 

Save  when  at  intervals  he  heard 
Some  trembler  lisp  his  name. 

In  vain  the  foe,  those  fiends  unchained, 

Like  faniished  tigers  cliafe, 
The  sheltering  roof  is  near'd,  is  gain'd, 

All,  all  the  dear  ones  safe  I 


We  have  not  yet  finished  narrating  the  tragedy 
of  that  eventful  day.  The  Indians  dispersed  themselves 
in  small  parties,  and  attacked  the  houses  in  the  vicinity. 
Eight,*  besides  the  house  of  Mr.  Dustin,  were  conquer- 
ed, plundered,  and  reduced  to  ashes. t  Their  owners  in 
every  case  were  slain  while  defending  them — their  blood 
stained  their  door-sills,  and  the  blood  of  their  beloved 
pooled  upon  their  hearths.  The  houses  that  were  burnt 
belonged  to  John  Keezar,  John  Kimball,  Thomas  Ea- 
ton, I'homas  Emerson,  Daniel  Bradley,  Thomas  Wood, 

John   Woodman   and Kingsbury;   making  nine  in 

all.  The  persons  slain,  were  John  Keezar,  his  father, 
and  son,  George;  John  Kimball  and  his  mother,  Han- 
nah; Sarah  Eastman;  Thomas  Eaton;  Thomas  Emerson, 
his  wife,  Elizabeth,  and  two  children,  Timothy  and  Sa- 
rah; Daniel  Bradley,  his  wife  Hannah,  and  two  chil- 
dren, Mary  and  Hannah;  Martha  Dow,  daughter  of 
Stephen  Dow;  Joseph,  Martha  and  Sarah  Bradley, 
children  of  Joseph  Bradley;  Thomas  and  Mehitabic 
Kingsbury;  Thomas  Wood  and  his  daughter  Susannah; 
John  Woodman  and  his  daughter  Susannah;  Zechariah 
White,  and  Martha,  the  infant  daughter  of  Mr.  Dustin; 
— making  the  round  number  of  twenty-seven,  who  were 

*Mr.  Drake,  iu  his  Appendix  to  Philip's  War,  &c.,  page  315, 
says,  they  "took  and  killed  thiity-nine  persons  and  hurnt  about  a 
half  a  <lozen  houses." 

t  Fairfield  thus  notices  it  in  his  Diary  "March  15.  The  In- 
dians did  much  damage  at  Kaverhill;  burnt  nine  houses — killed  and 
took  cnptive  near  forty  prisoners." 


96 

slaughtered,  fifteen  of  whom  were  children,  besides  thir- 
teen who  were  captured. 

The  savages  were  now  gkitted  with  murder  and 
desolation,  and  breaking  up  into  small  parties,  as 
was  their  general  practice,  they  commenced  a  hasty 
retreat.  One  of  their  number  stole  the  old  or  first 
town-book,  and  with  a  few  others  retreated  up  the 
river.  In  the  westerly  part  of  the  town,  now  Methuen, 
they  came  upon  a  yoke  of  oxen,  and  with  that  hellish 
barbarity  which  is  their  principal  characteristic  in  war, 
cut  out  their  tongues,  struck  up  a  fire  and  broiled  them. 
Had  they  despatched  the  oxen,  after  their  tongues  were 
out,  it  would  have  been  a  deed  of  mercy;  but  instead  of 
doing  that,  they  left  them  in  that  dreadful  situation. 
After  their  repast  was  over,  they  continued  their  retreat, 
but,  either  designedly  or  intentionally,  left  the  town- 
book.  It  was  soon  found,  but  so  damaged  with  water 
that  many  of  the  records  were  perfectly  illegible.  The 
rumor  of  this  attack  soon  reached  the  village,  when  an 
armed  party  was  collected  and  immediately  pursued 
them.  But  the  Indians  eluded  their  vigilance,  and  they 
returned  without  seeing  any  of  them. 

This  was  truly  a  terrible  day  for  the  infant  settle- 
ment; some  of  its  most  useful  citizens  were  slain,  and 
many  of  its  promising  youth.  Terror  seized  the  hearts 
of  the  inhabitants,  and  well  it  might,  for  they  were 
liable,  every  day,  to  be  swept  from  the  stage  of  exis- 
tence without  even  a  moment's  warning.  They  were 
now  on  the  alert  to  prevent,  if  possible,  another  attack; 
guards  were  stationed  in  many  of  the  houses,  and  the 
brick  house  of  Thomas  Dustin,  that  had  been  partly  fin- 
ished the  year  before,  but  had  not  been  occupied,  was 
ordered  to  'be  garrisoned.*  The  following  is  a  copy  of 
the  order  to  Mr.  Dustin  when  he  was  appointed  to  com- 
mand it.  ^         . 

"  To  Thomas  Dustin,  upon  the  settlement  oi  garri- 
sons. April  5  1696-7.  You  being  appointed  master 
of  the  garrison  at  your  house,  you  are  hereby,  in  his 
Maj's  [Majesty's]  name,  required  to   see   that   a  good 

*  A  part  of  this  building  is  now  standing,  and  is  occupied  by  Mr. 
Joshua  Dustin,  his  descendant,  for  an  out -house. 


07 

watch  be  kept  at  yonr  garrison  both  by  night  and  by 
day,  by  those  persons  hereafter  named  who  are  to  be 
under  your  command  and  inspection  in  building  or  re- 
pairing your  garrison;  and  if  any  person  refuse  or  neg- 
lect their  duty,  you  are  accordingly  required  to  make 
return  of  the  same,  under  your  hand,  to  the  Committee 
of  militia  in  Haverhill.  The  persons  appointed  are  as 
followeth: — Josiah  Heath,  sen.,  Josiah  Heath,  jun.,  Jo- 
seph Bradley,  John  Heath,  Joseph  Kingsbury,  and 
Thomas  Kingsbury. 

By  order  of  the  Committee  of  militia. 

Samuel  Ayer,  Cnot.'' 

Thomas  Dusiin  was  a  man  of  considerable  ingenuity, 
and  tradition  says  that  he  had  a  "  vast  deal  of  mother 
wit;"  that  he  possessed  unshaken  courage  and  the  pur- 
est and  loftiest  feelings  of  aflection,  cannot  be  doubt- 
ed. It  is  said  that  he  made  his  own  almanacks,  -and 
furthermore,  that  he  always  made  them  on  rainy  daijs. 
How  true  this  is,  we  will  not  attempt  to  say.  He  had 
a  grandson,  Joshua,  who  was  said  to  have  been  his 
counterpart.  He  once  took  it  into  his  head  to  weave 
a  bed-quilt,  and  succeeded  in  making  an  excellent  one, 
consisting  of  as  many  colors  as  Joseph's  coat.  This 
curious  relic  is  now  preserved  by  his  descendants. 

The  business  of  brick-making  was  carried  on  exten- 
sively, for  that  period,  by  Mr.  Dustin,  and  the  spot  where 
the  kilns  were  burnt,  is  still  visible.  It  was,  however, 
attended  with  considerable  danger,  for  the  Indians  were 
continually  lurking  in  the  vicinity,  watching  an  oppor- 
tunity to  shoot  them  trom  their  I'.iding  places,  or  to  suc- 
cessfully attack  them.  Tlie  pits,  v^-here  the  clay  v^'as 
dug,  were  situated  only  a  few  rods  south  of  the  garrison, 
but  the  enemy  v/ere  so  bold  that  those  who  brcughi  the 
clay  from  the  pits  to  the  yard,  near  the  house,  where  it 
was  made  into  bricks,  v/ere  constantly  attended  by  a 
file  of  soldiers. 

We  v/ill  here  narrate  a  laughable  incident  that 
happened  at  this  garrison,  while  it  was  commanded 
by  My.  Dustin.  One  Joseph  Whittaker  was  quartered 
there,  to  serve  on  the  watch,  assist  in  defending  it 
against   the  enemy,  and   perform   such   other  duties  as 


98 

were  from  time  to  time  required  of  him.     He  %vas  a 
lun-.  unmarried  man,  and  full  of  "  marcury,"   as  the 
sto"y%oes;   but  ^vhether   or  no,  ho  was  tall  m  person, 
had  ahM,  bro«-,  a  beautiful  countenance,  and  an  ele- 
eant  and  courtly  mien,  we  have  never  been  mformed. 
lut  that  he  was  unmarried,  is  posifvely  true,  and  tins 
unlucky  circumstance  seemed  to  trouble  hxs  mmd;-for 
r  was    considered,   by  our  worthy  fathers,  somelhmg 
of  Isin  to  live  long  without  the  pale  of  matrunony;  ye= 
°hey    positively    deemed  it  better   for  youug  men  and 
otm/women  to  be  linked  together  by  the  holy  and  m- 
epar'able  bann.  of  wedlock    "  soon  -  -"ven  ent    - 
blLsed  be  their  memories  '<"•,  f'^^'.'     f "  ,  >T^^  J'"e 
tleman  mourned  bitterly  over  us  «'"f"\ f''"f  ""'jf^^^ 
considered  it,  and  came  to  a  solemn  ''^^o,!,"""" ''^^^'^^^Se 
;t  immediately    "for   better    for  worse.       It  must  na\e 
"a  mS  time  with  him,  and  doubtless  he  weighed 
the  matter  carefully  before  he   came  to   a  final  deter- 
mUiaUon      But  he   came  to  it   at  last,  and  accordingly 
h  "began  to  cast  many  inquisitive  S^TToVXZ 
om  lasses   of  his   acquaintance,  and  to   lesohe,  m   nis 
own  mfnd,  which  of  rtiem  should  have  the  /.o„o,-  of  ac- 
rentinty  his  heart  and  hand.  .        .  , 

T^o  happened  that  a  young  lady    JOgS-S  °'^;;>  '^'^^ 

^^^t^  H'r,':;/:omredt  t  s; 

re\'l"^rsec"e^  of  lovelmess.-gentleness,  grac 
•   ness  aSdllicacy.    It  is  inrpossible  to  state    -  exa  . 
color  of  her  hair-perhaps  it  was  b lack  .-perhaps  he 
neck.was  shaded  vvith^  flaxen  nnet=       such  as  ^     ^ 

*'^%™™°but Joseph  no  arubt,  clearly  savv  heaven  in 
IfZUvt-inkiiur whether  black,  blue,  or  grey, 
irstoT Kart,  and  'would  not  return  it  to  the  right- 

''"'  xTe'days  and  nights  passed  rapidly  on  as  they 
alwjs  do  to  persons  ^ho  b'egin  to  feel  the  silent  work- 


99 

ings  of  young  love,  and  Joseph  found  himself  sinking 
deeper  and  deeper  each  day,  in  the  miry  pit,  whh  only 
one  remedy  within  his  grasp — and  tliis  was  matrimony. 

Accordingly  he  thought  it  best  to  make  a  declara- 
tion, as  it  is  called,  and  Tcarn  if  the  object  of  his  devo- 
ted affection  returned  "love  for  love."  Agreeably  to 
this  manful  recolution,  he  sedulously  watched  an  oppor- 
tunity, and  assisted  a  little  by  the  young  lady,  who,  no 
doubt,  suspected  his  design,  luckily  found  one. 
'Twas  when  the  sha/.les  of  evening  fell 
O'er  forest  deep,  and  hill  and  deU. 

But  whether  the  sky  v/as  cloudless,  the  stars  came 
out  like  beautiful  spirits,  and  the  western  breezes  war- 
bled among  the  aged  oaks; — or  whether  the  clouds  roll- 
ed upward  in  black  and  frightful  masses,  and  the  light- 
nings flashed  vividly  along  their  torn  and  sable  edges, 
and  the  deep  and  heavy  thunder  vaulted  from  pole  to 
pole — we  have  yet  to  learn.  But  the  evening  was  pro- 
bably calm  and  beautifvd,  for  love  is  positively  afraid  of 
thunder,  and  will  never  show  its  delicate  proportions 
M'hen  it  is  heard.  It  was  in  the  night-time,  however, 
and  they  began  ''  to  court  a  little,''  to  use  the  phrase  of 
our  narrator.  At  length,  Joseph  nerved  his  shrinking 
courage,  and  M'ith  a  palpitating  heart,  and  in  broken 
accents,  made  a  declaration  of  his  love,  and  ended  the 
interesting  harangue  by  ofi'ering  his  heart  and  hand. 

Mary  heard  his  story  very  attentively,  and  then  flatly 
refused  to  have  any  thing  to  do  with  him.  What  a  hard 
hearted  creature!  Joseph  was  somewhat  staggered  at 
so  prompt  a  denial,  but  determined  not  to  suffer  her  to 
escape  so  easily;  he  had  probably  heard  of  the  old 
adage,  "faint  heart  never  won  fair  lady,"  and  resolved 
to  persevere  in  the  good  work  until  he  triumphed.  He 
pleaded  his  cause  most  manfully — but  it  was  all  in  vain; 
she  remained  stubborn  and  hard-hearted  as  at  first.  As 
a  last  resource,  he  told  her  that,  if  she  would  not  accept 
of  his  ofler,  he  would  go  and  ''jump  into  the  well." 
This  was  truly  a  -desperate  resolution;  but  it  had  no 
eflect  on  the  cruel  heart  of  the  maiden — she  still  per- 
i-isted  in  her  refusal.  Joseph  then  arose — probably 
from  a  kneeling  posture — and  casting  a  long,  lingering 
look  on  the  unfeeling  airl,  left  the  garrison.     He  went 


100 

»o  the  well,  and  looking  into  ^'  the  deep  and  dark 
abyss,"  anxiously  weighed  the  matter  before  he  took 
the  final  leap.  It  was  a  stern  resolve — he  thought 
ut^  it  earnestly — he  wavered — and  at  last  determined  not 
to  throw  away  his  lite  for  such  a  hard-hearted  creature. 
While  "  casting  himself  about''  to  see  how  he  could 
escape  from  this  sad  dilemma,  and  still  preserve  some 
appearance  of  having  done  the  deed,  a  new  idea  happily 
Hashed  across  his  cranium.  A  large  log  was  lying  near, 
which  he  resolved  should  be  the  Joseph  to  jump  into  the 
\vell,  instead  of  himself.  Soon  as  this  commendable  de- 
termination was  formed,  he  seized  the  log,  plunged  it 
into  the  "watery  deep,"  and  immediately  concealed 
himself  behind  the  curb. 

But  where  was  INIary  all  the  while? — She  had  been 
listening  attentively  at  the  door,  half  sorry  that  she  had 
denied  him  so  long,  and  hardly  believing  that  he  would 
commit  so  rash  an  act.  But  when  she  heard  the  heavy 
plunge  of  the  wooden  Joseph,  her  heart  completely  re- 
lented, and  oh!  how  fervently  she  then  wished  that  she 
had  not  refused  his  offer!  She  hastily  ran  to  the  well, 
and  bending  over  the  curb,  with  a  bleeding  and  agoniz- 
ed heart,  exclaimed — ''  Oh!  Joseph,  Joseph!  if  you  are 
in  the  land  of  the  living,  I  will  have  you."  Joseph  saw 
and  heard  the  whole,  and  his  heart  leaped  for  gladness 
at  this  intelligence,  and  instantly  leaving  his  place  of 
(concealment,  he  rushed  into  her  arms  and  exclaimed — 
"Oh!  Marv,  Mary!  I  will  take  you  at  your  word!" 
How  IVIary  looked  and  acted  on  this  occasion,  we  have 
not  been  informed;  but  no  doubt, 

*'Her  pure  and  eloquent  blood 

Spoke  in  her  cheeks,  and  so  distinctly  wrought, 
That  one  would  almost  say  her  body  ihouglit." 
The  long  embrace — ^the  mutual   reconciliation — and  the 
many    tears    of  unfeigned  joy  that   probably    followed, 
we  will  not  attempt  to  describe. 

On  the  19th  of  April,  a  Committee  was  chosen  ''to 
agree  with  Mr.  John  Haseltine  about  the  peculiar  work 
of  the  meeting  house,  the  workmen  providing  all  to  the 
turning  of  the  key,  the  other  work  without  and  within 
being  done;  and  a  turret  also  for  a  bell,  provided  the 
whole  do  not  exceed   four  hundred  pounds  in  money/* 


101 

At  a  meeting,  on  the  fifth  of  July,  it  was  again  voted, 
"  that  it  should  stand  on  the  common  land  near  Mr. 
Keezar's  dwelling  house."  The  second  house  was  ac- 
cordingly built,  about  fifty  feet  in  front  of  the  present 
Congregational  church.  It  was  built  without  a  cupola, 
or  tower,  as  it  was  then  more  frequently  called,  and 
with  two  doors,  one  for  the  women  and  one  for  the  men. 
The  Committee  that  was  appointed  to  examine  it  after 
it  was  finished,  reported  that  it  was  "50  1-2  feet  in 
length,  40  1-2  feet  in  breadth  and  19  feet  studd." 

A  severe  cold,  attended  with  a  cough  and  high  fe- 
ver, prevailed  in  the  whole  Province.  In  Braintree^ 
120  persons  died.* 

1698. 

9th  Jan.  A  meeting  was  warned  by  the  Selectmen 
to  appoint  Assessors  for  a  tax  of  £40,  demanded  of  the 
town  by  the  Assembly.  Four  of  the  Selectmen  and 
three  others  only  were  present.  The  meeting  was 
therefore  dissolved  without  appointing  them,  but  it  was 
understood — says  the  Recorder — that  the  four  Selectmen 
should  perform  that  duty. 

On  the  22d  February,  Jonathan  Haynes  and  Samuel 
Ladd,  who  lived  in  the  western  part  of  the  town,  started 
with  their  eldest  sons,  Joseph  and  Daniel,  and  a  team 
of  oxen  and  horses,  to  procure  a  load  of  hay  which  was 
stacked  some  distance  from  their  dwellings.  While  they 
were  slowly  driving  their  teams,  without  suspecting  any 
danger,  they  suddenly  found  themselves  between  two 
files  of  Indians,  who  had  concealed  themselves  in  the 
bushes  on  each  side  of  their  path.  There  were  seven 
of  them  on  a  side,  who  were  on  their  return  from  an 
attack  on  Andover.  Their  guns  were  presented  and 
cocked,  and  the  fathers  seeing  that  it  was  impossible  to 
escape,  called  for  quarter; — "  boon  quarter!  boon  quar- 
ter!'"— (meaning  good  quarter,)  they  twice  exclaimed  in 
answer  to  their  call.     But  Daniel,  the  son  of  Ladd,  did 

*  Fairfield's  Diary. 


102 

not  wish  to  be  taken  prisoner  without  making  an  effort 
to  escape;  and  he  told  his.  father  that  he  would  mount 
the  fleetest  horse  and  endeavor  to  flee.  But  the  old 
gentleman  forbid  him  to  make  the  attempt,  telling  him 
that  he  had  better  remain  a  prisoner.  He  cut  the  horses 
loose,  however,  gave  them  the  lash,  when  they  started 
off  full  speed,  and  soon  arrived  uninjured  to  their  sta- 
bles; though  they  were  repeatedly  hred  at  by  the  In- 
dians. Two  of  them  then  stepped  behind  the  fathers, 
and  struck  them  violently  on  their  heads,  without  the 
least  provocation.  Mr.  Ilaynes,  who  was  quite  aged, 
instantly  fell,  but  Mr.  Ladd  did  not.  Another  then  step- 
ped before  him  and  raised  his  hatchet  with  the  intention 
of  striking  him  in  the  face.  Mr.  Ladd  closed  his  eyes, 
expecting  that  the  blow  would  fall — but  it  came  not — 
and  when  he  opened  them,  he  saw  the  tawny  fellow 
laughing  at,  and  mocking  his  fears.  Another  Indian 
tlien  stepped  behind  him  and  struck  him  down. 

The  Indians,  on  being  asked  why  they  killed  the  old 
men,  said  that  they  killed  Haynes  because  he  was  "  so 
old  he  no  2;o  vAth  us  ;^^ — meaning  that  he  was  too  aged 
and  infirm  to  travel;  and  that  they  killed  Ladd,  who 
was  a  fierce,  stern  looking  man,  because  " /ie  so  so?f?'." 
They  then  started  for  Penacook,  where  they  arrived, 
with  the  two  boys.  Young  Ladd  soon  grew  weary  of 
his  situation,  and  one  night  after  his  Indian  master  and 
family  had  fell  asleep,  he  attempted  to  escape.  He  had 
proceeded  but  a  short  distance,  when  he  thought  that 
he  should  want  a  hatchet  to  fell  trees  to  assist  him  in 
crossing  the  streams.  He  accordingly  returned,  enter- 
ed a  wigwam  near  his  master's,  where  an  old  squaw 
lay  sick,  and  took  a  hatchet.  The  squaw  watched  his 
movements,  and  probably  thinking  that  he  intended  to 
kill  her,  vociferated  Vv'ith  all  her  strength.  This  awak- 
ened the  Indians  in  the  wigvv'am,  who  instantly  arose, 
re-captured  him.  and  delivered  him  again  to  his  master, 
who  bound  his  hands,  laid  him  upon  his  back,  fastened 
one  of  his  feet  to  a  tree,  and  in  that  manner  kept  him 
fourteen  nights.  They  then  gashed  his  face  with  their 
knives,  filled  the  wounds  with  powder,  and  kept  him  on 
his  back  until  it  was  so  indented  in  the  flesh,  that  it  was 
impossible  to   extract   it.     He  carried  the  scars  to  his 


103 

grave,  and  is  now  frequently  spoken  of  by  his  descend- 
ants as  the  "  marked  man,"  Some  years  after  he  found 
means  to  return,  and  his  scarred  and  powdered  counte- 
nance produced  many  witticisms  at  his  expense.  He 
was  one  day  walking  the  streets  of  Boston,  and  a  parrot 
observing  his  "  marked"  features,  vociferated,  "a rogue! 
a  rogue!"  Haynes  remained  a  prisoner  •with  the  In- 
dians some  years,  and  was  at  last  redeemed  by  his 
relatives. 

5th  March.  A  party  of  about  forty  Indians  again 
attacked  Andover,  killed  five  persons,  burnt  two  houses, 
and  two  barns  Vvith  the  cattle  in  them.  On  their  return, 
"they  made  spoil  on  Haverhill."* 

A  general  contribution  was  taken  in  the  Province, 
for  the  relief  of  those  who  were  prisoners  with  the 
French  and  Indians. 

Joseph  Peasly  moved  that  the  town  should  allow  him 
and  others  "  to  meet  at  the  new  house  for  and  in  their 
way  of  worship,  which  is  according  to  the  quakers.  It 
was  read  and  refused  to  be  voted  upon." 

This  is  the  first  notice  we  have  of  the  Friends;  and 
probably  their  number  was  small.  Though  the  bitter 
persecutions  carried  on  against  them,  in  this  Province, 
by  the  prevailing  sect  were  considerably  abated,  they 
were  still  looked  upon  with  contempt,  and  as  a  design- 
ing and  wicked  people.  The  detestable  bigotry  that 
spread  its  mantle  of  darkness  over  the  minds  of  men  at 
that  period,  prevented  them  from  thinking  charitably  of 
those  persons,  whose  religious  tenets  were  opposed  to 
theirs.  The  arm  of  the  strong  was  raised  to  crush  the 
vveak,  or  those  who  could  not  conscientiously  worship 
with  them. 

20th  Nov.  A  meeting  was  warned  to  choose  a 
Committee  to  seat  the  people  in  the  new  meeting  house, 
"that  they  may  know  where  to  sit,  and  not   disorderly 

*  Hutchinson,  vol.  II.  page  101. 


104 

cro^yd  upon  one  another  in  the  time  of  God's  worship." 
The  Selectmen  were  then  ordered  to  designate  seats  for 
the  above  Committee,  "  that  there  may  be  no  grumbUng 
for  picking  and  placing  themselves." 

Capt.  Samuel  Ayer  and  Nathaniel  Saltonstall,  Esq., 
were  chosen  to  dispose  of  the  old  meeting-house  to  the 
best  advantage. 

It  is  supposed  that  the  well-known  disease,  ycelped 
mumps,  made  its  appearance  in  the  Colonies  this  year. 
A  journalist*  says,  "  many  persons  died  of  an  unusual 
distemper,  called  the  mumps."  Doubtless  it  was  much 
more  mortal  than  at  the  present  day. 


15th  Jan.  A  meeting  was  warned  to  raise  money 
to  pay  the  town  debts,  and  there  seems  to  have  been 
considerable  confusion,  for  the  Recorder  says  that  ^'  the 
meeting  was  opened  and  mouths  too." 

5th  March.  A  building  was  ordered  to  be  erected 
for  a  watch-house,  school-house,  and  for  any  other  use 
to  which  it  might  be  appropriated.  It  was  built  on 
Main-street,  north  of  the  present  parsonage  house,  and 
faced  the  IMerrimack. 

On  the  3d  of  June,  a  grammar-school  was  ordered 
to  be  established  immediately,  and  IMr.  Richard  Salton- 
stall was  appointed  to  procure  a  suitable  instructer.  In 
July,  thirty  pounds  were  raised  to  be  appropriated  for 
that  purpose;  and  the  Selectmen  were  ordered  to  "write 
a  letter  to  the  scnolar  that  Richard  Saltonstall  had  treat- 
ed with,  or  to  some  other  meet  person,  to  invite  him  to 
come  and  be  the  school-master  for  this  town  of  Haver- 
hill." It  is  presumed  that  the  school  was  not  establish- 
ed; for  in  the  following  year,  we  find  that  there  was 
none ;  and  it  cannot  be  ascertained  that  there  was  any 
from  1690,  till  the  Indian  war  was  terminated.  We  are 
not  much  surprised  at  their  negligence  on  this  point,  for 
the  inhabitants  had  enough  to  do  to  defend  themselves. 

A  son  of  John  Merrill  was  scalded  to  death. 

*Se%valI. 


105 


1701. 

3d  March.  A  Clerk  of  the  market  was  chosen:  and 
it  was  also  voted  that  ten  pounds  should  be  added  to 
Mr.  Rolfe's  salary. 

4th  March.  A  Committee  was  chosen  purposely  to 
seat  strangers  in  the  meeting-house.  Avery  good  plan; 
and  it  would  be  well  if  some  of  the  churches  would  learn 
a  little  politeness,  and  practice  it  at  the  present  day.  It 
was  further  ordered  that,  "  if  any  of  the  inhabitants  did 
«it  in  any  seat  where  he  or  she  was  not  seated,  should 
pay  a  fine  of  one  shilling  in  money." 

It  appears  that  Joseph  Peasly  suficred  considerably 
by  fire,  for  the  town  "  voted  to  give  him  his  rates"  on 
that  account. 

Early  in  the  spring  the  Indians  made  their  appear- 
ance in  small  parties,  traversing  the  woods  in  every  di- 
rection. They  soon  became  very  bold,  and  attacked  the 
garrison  of  Jonathan  Emerson;  but  were  repulsed  with 
the  loss  of  two  killed,  while  the  whites  sustained  no  in- 
jury. One  of  the  soldiers,  after  the  war  was  over,  meet- 
ing one  of  the  Indians,  spoke  of  the  attack,  when  the 
following  dialogue  ensued: 

"You  had  two  of  your  mimber  slain,"  said  the  gar- 
rison man. 

"  How  do  you  know  that?"  asked  the  Indian. 

^'  We  saw  your  biers,"  was  the  reply. 

"  Hah,  hah!"  grunted  the  tawny  fellow  of  the  woods, 
and  was  the  only  answer  he  condescended  to  make. — - 
^'  And  you  put  them  in  the  great  hole,"  continued  the 
garrison  man. 

''  Hah,  hah!  no,  we  did  not,"  muttered  the  surly  fel- 
low, feeling  that  he  was  questioned  too  closely. 

"  What  did  you  do  with  them?"  asked  the  garrison 
man,  laughing  in  his  sleeves,  as  the  saying  is,  confident 
that  he  had  the  best  end  of  the  dispute. 

"  We  carried  them  to  the  deep  hole  above,"  he  re- 
.})lied,  sharply;  and  immediately  wheeled  about  aad 
marched  for  his  native  woods." ^ 

*  Tradition. 


106 

The  "deep  holes"  referred  to,  were  situated  in 
the  low  lands,  south-west  of  the  tavern  now  occupied  by- 
Mr.  Pingree.  One  of  them,  many  years  since,  was 
near  fifteen  feet  in  depth,  and  was  called  the  great  hole; 
and  the  other  was  called  the  deep  hole.  Soon  after  the 
attack  on  the  garrison,  two  Indian  biers  were  found  near 
them,  which  led  them  to  suppose  that  two  of  the  enemy 
were  slain. 

The  Colony,  at  this  time,  was  computed  to  contain 
70,000  inhabitants.* 

-«^©^***- 

A  garrison  was  ordered  to  be  kept  in  the  northerly 
part  of  the  town,  in  the  house  of  one  Saunders,  which 
stood  on  land  now  owned  by  Capt.  Richard  Stuart.  It 
was  the  custom  for  the  nearest  neighbors  to  sleep  in  the 
garrison  at  night;  but  Thomas  Whittier,  a  member  of 
the  Society  of  Friends,  who  lived  nearly  opposite,  re- 
fused to  shelter  himself  and  family  beneath  it.  His  own 
house  was  unguarded — no  palisades  surrounded  it — and 
he  carried  with  him  no  weapon  of  war.  When  urged 
by  his  friends  to  fly  to  the  garrison  for  safety,  or  pre- 
pare himself  with  the  means  of  defence,  he  refused  to 
comply  with  their  desires,  for  he  depended  more  upon 
the  weapons  of  his  faith  than  on  those  of  steel.  The  In- 
dians frequently  .visited  him,  and  the  family  often  heard 
them  whispering  beneath  the  windows,  and  saw  them 
put  their  copper  faces  to  the  glass  to  take  a  view  of  the 
apartments.  Friend  Whittier,  however,  treated  them 
civilly,  and  they  ever  retired  without  otherwise  molest- 
ing him. 

The  government,  on  account  of  the  extreme  scarcity 
of  silver,  began  to  emit  bills,  since  called  "  Old  Tenor." 
They  were  then  called  bills  of  credit,  and  read  thus: — 
''  This  indented  bill  of  [amount]  due  from  the  Province 
of  the  Massachusetts  Bay  to  the  Possessor  thereof, 
shall  be  in  value  equal  to  money,  and  shall  be  accord- 

''Sewall'sDinrv. 


107 

ingly  accepted  by  the  Treasurer,  and  Receivers  subor- 
dinates to  him,  in  all  pubUc  payments,  and  for  any 
stock  at  any  time  in  the  Treasury. 

Boston  [date.]  By  order  of  the  Great  and  General 
Court  of  Assembly." 

Silver  was  this  year  valued  at  83.  per  ounce. 


18th  Aug.  At  a  meeting  holden  this  day,  ^' after 
some  discourse  about  getting  a  school-master,  the  town, 
on  consideration  of  their  troubles  with  the  Indians,  re- 
solved that  nothing  should  be  done  about  it,  and  the 
meeting  was  dissolved." 

The  Selectmen  were  ordered  to  petition  the  Assem- 
bly for  an  abatement  of  their  country  taxes,  ''  by  reason 
of  their  uncomfortable  circumstances  by  reason  of  the 
Indians." 


The  Indians  had  been  quite  peaceable  for  the  last 
two  years,  and  the  inhabitants  pleased  themselves  with 
the  hope  that  they  should  see  no  more  of  them.  They 
had  shaken  off  a  portion  of  their  watchfulness,  and  neg- 
lected to  guard  their  dwellings  so  securely  as  in  former 
years.  On  the  8th  of  February,  about  3  or  4  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon,*  a  party  of  six  Indians  attacked  the 
garrison  of  Joseph  Bradley,  which  was  unhappily  m  an 
unfTuarded  state — even  the  sentries  had  left  their  sta- 
tions, and  the  gates  were  open.  The  Indians  approach- 
ed cautiously,  and  were  rushing  into  the  open  gates, 
before  they  were  discovered.  Jonathan  Johnson,  a  sen- 
tinel, who  was  standing  in  the  house,  shot  at  and  wound- 
ed the  foremost,  and  Mrs.  Bradley,  who  had  a  kettle  of 

*  Pike's  Journal. 


108 

boiling  soap  over  the  fire,  seized  her  ladle,  and  filling  it 
with  the  steaming  liquid,  discharged  it  on  his  tawny 
pate — a  soap-or'\i\c  that  almost  instantly  brought  on  a 
sleep,  from  which  he  has  never  since  awoke.*  The  rest 
of  the  party  immediately  rushed  forward,  killed  John- 
son,! made  prisoner  of  the  intrepid  woman,  and  of 
some  others.  Pike,  in  his  Journal,  says  four. J  Three 
persons  escaped  from  the  garrison.  The  Indians,  then 
fearing  lest  they  should  soon  be  attacked  by  a 
stronger  party,  commenced  a  hasty  retreat,  aiming  for 
Canada,  Vv'hich  was  their  place  of  resort  when  they 
had  been  so  successtul  as  to  take  a  number  of  pris- 
oners. 

Mrs.  Bradley  was  in  delicate  circumstances,  and 
in  slender  health;  still  she  received  no  kindness  from 
her  savage  conquerors.  No  situation  of  woman  would 
ever  protect  her  trom  their  demon-like  cruelties.  The 
weather  was  cold,  the  wind  blew  keenly  over  the  hills, 
and  the  ground  was  covered  with  a  deep  snow, — 
yet    they    obliged    her    to     travel    on    toot,    and    carry 

*  Penhallow. 

t  Town  Records. 

t  We  copy  the  following  from  ]Mr.  Pike's  .Toiirnal — it  is  ail  that 
he  says  of  the  affair.  "  Feh.  8.  About  3  or  4  o'clock,  afternoon, 
Joseph  Bradley's  house,  at  Tfaverhill,  was  taken  by  six  Indians;  13 
persons  killed  and  5  carried  away,  whereof  one  returned.  3  more 
persons  escaped  out  of  the  house,  and  1  Indian  v.as  slain  in  it  by 
Jonathan  Johnson."  Mr.  Pike  is  tlie  only  one,  that  we  cim  find, 
who  says  that  thirteen  persons  were  killed  in  this  attack.  Penhallow, 
in  his  history  of  the  "  Indian  Wars,"  speaks  of  no  other  slain  than 
Jonathan  Johnson  and  the  Indian;  and  if  there  were  thirteen  killed, 
it  appears  rather  singular  that  he  did  not  mention  it.  Mr.  Pike  says 
there  were  only  six  Indians,  and  thirteen  slain — the  dispaiity  of  the 
two  parties  seem  to  invalidate  his  statement,  for,  unless  they  were 
all  children,  ^\'^lich  is  not  probable,  they  must  have  been  positive 
cowards,  or  been  taken  extremely  unawares.  Or,  if  they  were  wo- 
men, it  hardly  seems  probable  to  us,  for  women  at  that  period,  seem 
to  possess,  at  times,  as  much  courage  and  fortitude  as  the  men. 
Another  reason  we  have  for  doubting  the  statement  of  Mr.  Pike,  i.s 
the  silence  of  the  Town-Records  on  the  subject.  The  death  of  Mr. 
Johnson  is  there  faithfully  recorded,  thus: — "  Jonathan  Johnson 
[birth]  kilkd  by  the  Indians,  Feb.  S,  1703-4."  Why  did  they 
neglect  to  record  the  deaths  of  the  others? — It  appears  to  us  that,  if 
other  persons  were  slain,  their  deaths  would  have  been  recorded 
as  well  as  that  of  Mr.  Johnson.  ^ 


109 


a.  heavy  burthen,  too  large  even  for  the  strength  of  man. 
In  this  manner  they  proceeded  through  the  wdd  wilder- 
ness; and  Mrs.  Bradley  mformed  her  family,  after  she 
returned,  that  for  many  days  in  succession,  she  subsist- 
ed on  nothing  but  bits  of  skin,  ground-nuts,  the  bark  of 
trees,  wild  onions,  and  lily  roots. 

While  in  this  situation,  with  none  but  savages  tor 
her  assistants  and  protectors,  and  in  the  midst  of  a  thick 
forest  she  gave  birth  to  a  child.  The  Indians  then,  as 
if  they  were  not  satisfied  with  persecuting  the  mother, 
extended  their  cruelties  to  the  innocent  and  almost 
friendless  babe.  For  the  want  of  proper  attention,  it 
was  sickly,  and  probably  troublesome;  and  when  it  cri- 
ed, these  remorseless  fiends  showed  their  pity,  by  throw- 
ino-  embers  into  its  mouth.=^  They  told  the  mother  that, 
if'^she  would  permit  them  to  baptize  it  m  their  manner, 
they  would  suffer  it  to  live.  Unwilling  to  deny  their 
request,  lest  it  should  enrage  their  fierce  and  diabolical 
passions,  and  hoping  that  the  little  innocent  would  re- 
ceive kindness  at  their  hands,  she  complied  with  their 
request.  They  took  it  from  her,  and  baptized  it  by 
gashing  its  forehead  with  their  knives.t  The  feelings 
of  the  mother,  when  the  child  w^as  returned  to  her  with 
its  smooth  and  white  forehead  gashed  with  the  knife,  and 
its  warm  blood  coursing  down  its  cheeks,  can  be  better 
imagined  than  described. 

Soon  as  Mrs.  Bradley  had  regained  sufficient 
strength  to  travel,  the  Indians  again  took  up  their  march 
for  Canada.  But  before  they  arrived  at  their  place  ot 
rendezvous,  she  had  occasion  to  go  a  Httle  distance  from 
the  party,  and  when  she  returned,  she  beheld  a  sight 
shocking  to  a  mother,  and  to  every  feeling  of  humanity. 
Her  child,  which  was  born  in  sorrow,  and  nursed  in  the 
lap  of  afHiction,  and  on  which  she  doted  with  maternal 
fondness,  was  piked  upon  a  pole.J  -  Its  excrutiatmg 
agonies  were  over — it  could  no  more  feel  the  tortures 
of  the  merciless  savages — and  its  mother  could  only 
weep  over  its  memory.     Soon  after,  they  proceeded  to 


*  Penhallow. 
t  Tradition. 

t  Rev.  Abiel  Abbot's  MSS. 
^^  10 


HO 

Canada,  where  Mrs,  Bradley  was  sold  to  the  Fren^Ii 
tor  eighty  livres.  She  informed  her  friends,  after  her 
return,  that  she  was  treated  kindly  by  the  family  in. 
which  she  lived.  It  was  her  custom,  morning  and  even- 
ing, when  she  milked  her  master's  cow,  to  take  with  her 
a  crust  of  bread,  soak  it  with  milk,  and  eat  it;  with  this, 
and  with  the  rations  allowed  her  by  her  master,  she  eked 
out  a  comfortable  subsistance.* 

In  March,  1705,  her  husband,  hearing  that  she  wag 
in  the  possession  of  the  French,  started  tor  Canada  with 
the  intention  of  redeeming  her.  He  travelled  on  foot, 
accompanied  only  by  a  dog  that  drew  a  small  sled,  in 
which  he  carried  a  bag  of  snuff,  as  a  present  from  the 
Governor  of  this  Province  to  the  Governor  of  Canada.f 
When  he  arrived,  he  immediately  redeemed  her, J  and 
set  sail  from  Montreal  for  Boston,  which  they  reach- 
ed in  safety;  and  from  thence  travelled  to  Haverhill. 

Penhallow^  mentions  this  as  her  second  captivity^ 
and  Hutchinson  says  the  same;  but  Penhallow  is,  with- 
out doubt,  his  authority.  Diligent  search  has  been 
made  to  learn  the  history  of  her  first;  but,  thus  far, 
it  has  been  unsuccessful.  Very  accurate  traditions 
of  the  captivities  of  the  other  members  of  the  family, 
have  been  transmitted  to  their  descendants,  but  they 
have  never  heard  their  fathers  tell  that  this  person  was 
taken  at  any  other  time;  at  least,  they  can  give  no 
account  of  such  a  fact.  We  extract  the  following, 
from  Rev.  Abiel  Abbot's  MS.,  taken  by  him  from  Judith 
Whiting: — "Destitute  of  nurses  and  necessaries,  the 
child  was  sickly,  and  apt  to  cry,  and  they  would  put  hot 
embers  in  its  mouth.  Being  obliged  to  leave  it  a  short 
time,  on  her  return,  she  found  it  piked  on  a  pole.  *  * 
"  *  Having  been  brought  home  by  her  husband,  she 
was  taken  a  second  time,  but  not  before  she  had  finish- 
ed and  wounded  an  Indian  by  pouring  boiling  soap  into 
his  mouth."     From  this,  it  appears   that  she  was  twice 

*  Tradition. 

tThe  only  authority  we  have  of  the  dttg,  the  sled,  and  bag  of 
snufT.  is  tradition,  which  we  heard  related  very  minutely  by  his  de- 
scendant-;. 

t  Penhallow,  page  10. 

§  liist.  of  the  Indian  Wars,  page  10. 


Ill 

captivated;  but  of  the  truth  of  the  statement,  in  this 
particular,  we  will  not  undertake  to  judge.  It  certainly 
does  not  agree  with  Penhallow's,  and  if  we  rely  on  one 
we  must  throw  up  the  other,  at  least,  in  part.* 

21st  March.  Major  Richard  Saltonstall  was  chosen 
by  the  town  to  appear  at  Court,  "  to  answer  in  the 
town's  behalf  their  presentment  for  not  being  provided 
with  a  school  master  as  the  law  requires." 

4th  Aug.  Joseph  Page  and  Bartholomew  Heath, 
were  killed  by  the  Indians;  a  lad  who  v/as  v/ith  them, 
narrowly  escaped. | 


6th  March.  IMr.  Rolfe  petitioned  the  town  for  ano- 
ther addition  to  his  salary;  and  ten  pounds  more  were 
granted  him. 

A  reward  of  tvz-enty  shillings  was  offered  to  any  per- 
son who  should  kill  a  full-grown  wolf  within  the  limits 
of  the  town. 

4th  April.  A  general  fast  was  held  throughout  the 
Ts^ew-England  Colonies,  on  account  of  the  war  with 
France  and  Spain. 

-***€'^^*»*" 
1706. 

In  the  month  of  February,  there  was  a  great  fresh 
m  the  Merrimack.  Tlie  ice  stopped  in  the  river  and 
caused  the  water  to  overflow  its  banks  in  many  places.  J 

Samuel  Swan  had  his  house  broken  open  and  robbed 
of  about  fifty  pounds.  He  petitioned  the  town,  on  the 
4th  of  March,  to  make  up  a  part  of  his  loss,  but  the  peo- 
ple did  not  see  fit  to  comply. 

*See  Penhallow,  page  10. 
t  Pike's  Journal. 
I  CoHia's  MSS. 


112 

The  town  was  again  presented  for  being  destitute  of 
a  school-master,  and  Major  Richard  Saltonstall  was 
chosen  to  answer  it. 

Sometime  in  the  summer  of  this  year,  the  Indians 
again  visited  the  garrison  of  Joseph  Bradley ;  and  it  is 
said  that  he,  his  wife  and  children,  and  a  hired  man,  were 
the  only  persons  in  it  at  the  time.  It  was  in  the  night,  the 
moon  shone  brightly,  and  they  could  be  easily  seen, 
silently  and  cautiously  approaching.  Mr.  Bradley  arm- 
ed himself,  his  wife  and  man,  each  with  a  gun,  and  such 
of  his  children  as  could  shoulder  one.  Mrs.  Bradley 
supposing  that  they  had  come  purposely  for  her,  told 
her  husband  that  she  had  rather  be  killed  than  be  again 
taken.  The  Indians  rushed  upon  the  garrison,  and  en- 
deavored to  beat  down  the  door.  They  succeeded  in 
pushing  it  partly  open,  and  when  one  of  the  Indians 
began  to  crowd  himself  through  the  opening,  Mrs.  Brad- 
ley fired  her  gun  and  shot  hhn  dead.  The  rest  of  the 
party,  seeing  their  companion  fall,  desisted  from  their 
purpose  and  hastily  retreated.* 

3d  July.  Sergeant  Kingsbury  was  killed  or  taken 
prisoner. t 

Colonel  Nathaniel  Saltonstall,  one  of  the  firmest  pil- 
lars of  the  town,  and  a  prominent  man  in  the  Colony, 
died  on  the  21st  of  May,  after  being  ill  with  aeon- 
sumption  nearly  half  a  year.f  He  was  the  grandson  of 
Sir  Richard  Saltonstall,  who  was  one  of  the  patentees  of 
the  Colonies  of  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut,^  was 
styled  one  of  the  fathers  of  the  former,  and  projected 
and  settled  a  plantation,  and  ^'  called  it  Watertown." 
Col.  Saltonstall  possessed  a  vigorous  and  well-cuhivated 
intellect,  was  beloved  by  his  neighbors  and  friends,  and 
appeared  comparatively  free  from  the  bigotry  and  gross 

*  Tradition. 

t  Pike's  Journal. 

t  Trumbull's  Hist.  ConnecticuL  ^ 


113 

superstition  of  the  age  in  which  he  lived.  He  was 
born  in  1639,  and  graduated  at  Harvard  College  m 
1659  and  soon  after  settled  on  that  beautiful  situation, 
now  owned  by  Wid.  Samuel  AV.  Duncan.  He  married 
Elizabeth  Ward,  daughter  of  Rev.  John  Ward,  and  the 
estate  on  which  he  lived,  was  conveyed  to  him  in  con- 
sideration of  this  marriage.*  It  was  known  for  many 
years  by  the  name  of  the  "  Saltonstall  seat."  He  had 
five  children;  Guerdon,  born  27th  March,  1666,  was  a 
minister  at  New-London,  and  afterwards  Governor  ot 
Connecticut,  and  died  1724;  EHzabeth,  born  17th  Sept., 
1668,  and  married,  1st,  Mr.  Denizen,  2d,  Rev.  Row- 
land Cotton;  Richard,  born  25th  April,  1672,  graduated 
at  Harvard  College,  1695;  Nathaniel,  born  5th  Sept., 
1674,  and  graduated  at  Harvard  College,  1695;  John, 
born  14th  Aug.,  1678,  and  died  2d  Oct.,  1681.  His 
wife  died  29th  April,  1714. 

He  took  the  oath  of  freeman,  1665,  was  chosen  Rep- 
resentative, 1666,  1669  to  1671,  Captain,  1690,  elected 
assistant,  1679  to  1682,  and  again,  1689  to  1692.t  He 
was  Colonel  of  the  Essex  Regiment.  A  bitter  and  vio- 
lent enemy  of  New-England,  Edward  Randolph,  who 
was  the  chief  instrument  in  depriving  this  Colony 
of  its  charter,  ^'  included  him  among  those  whom  he 
called  a  faction  of  the  General  Court  in  1681,  and 
ao-ainst  whom  he  exhibited  articles  of  high  misdemeanor 
td  the  lords  of  the  Council."  J  When  the  old  charter 
was  taken  away,  in  1686,  he  was  named  as  one  of  the 
"Council  for  the  government  of  Massachusetts  Bay;" 
but  it  seems  that  he  had  taken  the  oath  of  Assistant 
under  the  old  charter  a  few  days  before,  and  refused  to 
accept  of  the  appointment. 

Soon  after  Sir  Edmund  Andross  was  seized  and  re- 
moved, he  accepted  of  an  invitation  to  join  the  Council 
which  took  the  government  into  their  hands,  and  con- 
tinued in  this  office  until  the  charter  of  William  and 
Mary,  when  he  was  appointed  one  of  his  Majesty's 
Council. 

♦Sketch  of  Haverhill. 
t  Farmer's  Genealogical  Register. 

i  We  are  indebted  for  this  fact,  and  for  many  others  concerning 
this  family,  to  the  "  Sketch  of  Haverhill." 
10* 


114 

Randolph,  whose  name  has  been  once  mentioned,  in 
his  "  answer  to  heads  of  inquiry  concerning  ]Vew-Eng- 
land,"  speaks  of  him  as  one  among  the  "  most  popular 
and  well  principled  military  men."  In  August,  1680, 
he  accompanied  the  deputy-Governor  and  others,  "  with 
sixty  soldiers  in  a  ship  and  sloop  from  Boston,  to  still 
the  people  at  Casco  Bay  and  prevent  Governor  Andross^ 
usurpation."  In  1683,  he  was  appointed  one  of  the 
commissioners  by  Charles  II,  "to  examine  and  inquire 
into  the  claims  and  titles  as  well  of  his  Majesty  as  others 
to  the  Narragansett  country." 

It  has  been  said  that  he  Was  comparatively  free  from 
the  bigotry  and  gross  superstition  which  then  prevailed. 
His  conduct  is  our  proof  He  was  opposed  to  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  Court  against  the  witchcraft  mania  that 
commenced  in  1692.  He  was  then  one  of  the  Judges; 
but  he  vacated  his  seat,  and  openly  expressed  his  dissat- 
isfaction at  the  violence  of  the  Court.  We  are  aston- 
ished at  his  independence — his  moral  energy — and  his 
fearlessness,  in  declaring  his  sentimcxits,  though  in 
opposition  to  the  united  opinion  of  his  cotemporaries  of 
the  bench,  and  against  that  of  nearly  the  whole  Colony. 
A  torrent  of  madness  and  delusion  had  overwhelmed  it, 
and  swept  onward,  carrying  terror  to  every  heart,  and 
leaving  death  and  desolation  in  its  pathway.  The 
Judges  of  the  land,  the  ministers,  whose  voices  were 
heard  in  the  sacred  desks — the  high  and  gifted  in  mind 
— were  victims  to  this  terrible  fanaticism;  and  it  is 
deemed  an  honor  to  Mr.  Saltonstall,  which  will  ever  be 
attached  to  his  memory,  that  he  went  forth  from  among 
them,  and  stood  aloof  from  their  councils. 

Mr.  Brattle,  speaking  of  this  in  his  account  of  the 
witchcraft,  says,  "  Maj.  N.  Saltonstall  Esq.  who  was 
one  of  the  Judges,  has  left  the  court,  and  is  very  much 
dissatisfied  with  the  proceedings  of  it."  Upon  this,  Mr. 
Bentley,  in  his  history  of  Salem,  remarks,  '^  Saltonstall 
left  the  bench;  but  ought  he  not,  as  the  friend  to  justice, 
to  have  been  upon  it?" — What  effect,  we  ask,  would  his 
single  voice  have  had  against  the  united  voices  of  the 
other  Assistants?  Had  he  remained  on  the  bench  and 
opposed  the  delusion  while  there,  his  life  would  have 
been  in  jeopardy,  and  he  would  have  exhibited  a  paucity 


11^ 

of  judgment — a  fanaticism,  nearly  or  quite  equal  to  that 
displayed  by  his  opponents.  There  was  no  other  way 
for  him  to  act,  and  even  then  he  was  not  free  from 
danger. 

It  was  thought  that  a  short  biography  of  Guerdon, 
eldest  son  of  I\athaniel  Saltonstall,  deserved  a  place  in 
this  history;  for  perhaps  it  is  not  known  to  all  of 
our  readers,  that  one  of  the  most  accomplished  Gov- 
ernors of  Connecticut,  and  one  of  the  most  distin- 
guished men  in  New-England,  was  a  native  of  this 
town.  He  graduated  at  Cambridge,  in  1684,  where 
he  was  a  profound  scholar,  and  gave  promise  of  his 
future  greatness.  In  1691,  he  was  ordained  pastor  of 
the  church  at  New-London.  He  soon  became  a  cele- 
brated preacher,  and  so  rapid  was  the  growth  of  his  rep- 
utation, that  in  1707,  upon  the  death  of  Fitz-John  Win- 
throp,  he  was  chosen  Governor  by  the  Legislature.  So 
great  was  the  respect  for  his  character,  that  "  the  As- 
sembly repealed  the  law  which  required  that  the  Gover- 
nor should  always  be  chosen  from  among  the  magis- 
trates in  nomination,  and  gave  liberty  for  the  freemen  to 
elect  him  from  among  themselves  at  large."  Mr.  Sal- 
tonstall  accepted  of  the  appointment,  and  entered  upon 
the  duties  of  his  oflice,  1st  January,  1708.  He  was 
continued  in  office  until  his  death,  which  was  very  sud- 
den, on  the  20th  September,  1724. 

He  is  said  to  have  been  a  powerful  reasoner,  and  an 
eloquent  orator.  "  In  1722,  when  Timothy  Cutler, 
rector  of  Yale  College,  and  five  other  ministers,  exhib- 
ited to  the  trustees  of  the  College  a  written  declaration 
against  the  validity  of  Presbyterian  ordination,  a  public 
disputation  and  conference  on  the  subject,  between  them 
and  the  trustees,  was  held  soon  after  in  the  College 
library,  at  which  conference,  Gov.  Saltonstall  presided; 
and  three  of  the  ministers  retracted,  '  being  satisfied  of 
the  validity  of  ordination  by  presbyters,  chiefly  by  his 
earned  reasonings.'  " 

The  Boston  News  Letter,*  speaking  of  his  death, 
says:  ''  On  the  19th  he  dined  well  and  so  continued  till 
about  4  P.  M.  when  he  seemed  something  indisposed 

*'' No.  1074,  Oct.  1,  1724." 


116 


ana  quickly  complained  of  a  pain  in  his  head;  about  b 
he  betook  himself  to  his  bed,  his  pain  and  illness  in- 
Creasing  he  then  said,  See  what  need  we  have  to  be  at- 
ways  ready,  Sfc.  At  twelve  the  next  day  he  expired,  to 
the  almost  unexampled  sorrow  of  all  that  saw  or  since 
heard   of  it,  not   only  through   all  that  government,  but 

the  whole  land."  .  ^r       t       i 

The  Rev.  Eliphalet  Adams  of  INew-London,  in  a 
sermon  upon  his  death,  says:— "  How  doth  the  whole 
land  shake  at  his  fall!  How  much  of  our  glory,  how 
much  of  our  peace  and  safety  is  buried  in  this  one  grave . 
Every  heart  aches  at  the  hearing  of  it,  and  every  eye 
plentifully  pours  out  tears  unto  God!  The  heavy  tid- 
incrs  passeth  swiftly  from  place  to  place,  astomshmg  all 
as  it  goes,  and  every  man  amazed  at  the  news  tells  it  to 
his  trembling  neighbor,  and  all  with  one  consent  begin  to 
cry,    The  crown  is  fallm  from  our  head,  ico  unto  us  that 

ice  have  sinned.  .   ,    ,  ^       c 

"  Often  have  I  trembled  to  thmk  how  much  ot  our 
olory  and  safety  was  bound  up  in  him,  and  what  a  migh- 
?y  blow  we  should  be  made  to  feel  in  the  day  when  it 
should  please  God  to  remove  him  from  us.  The  mel- 
ancholy hour  is  at  length  come,  this  wise,  great  and 
good  man  is  fallen,  with  all  his  glories  yet  fresh  about 
him,  as  if  the  sun  should  go  down  at  noon.  Every 
mouth  is  filled  with  his  praises,  and  can  scarce  speak  ot 
any  thino-  else  but  our  heavy  loss.  And  indeed,  here  is 
a  niost  copious  subject  for  panegyric— it  is  hard  to  say 
what  should  be  passed  in  silence,  wben  every  thmg 
may  be  said,  and  too  much  plenty  makes  us  j^oor. 

"  Who  did  not  admire  his  consummate  wisdom,  pro- 
found learning,  his  dexterity  in  business  and  indefatiga- 
ble appUcation,  his  intimate  acquaintance  with  men  and 
things,  and  his  superior  genius?  and  what  was  more 
than  all  this,  his  unaffected  piety  and  love  to  God  s 
house,  his  exact  life  and  exemplary  conversation.?  In 
what  part  of  learning  did  he  not  excel?" 

This  is  truly  an  exalted  eulogy— but  Mr.  baltonstali 
was  an  extraordinary  man,  and  was  an  honor  to  the 
Colony  of  which  he  was  Governor,  and  to  the  town  Irom 
which  he  originated.  _  -r»  r 

24th  June.  Joseph  and  Ebenezer  Page,  sons  ot 
Joseph  Page,  were  killed  by  the  Indians. 


117 


1708. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1707,  and  the  com- 
mencement of  this,  but  few  Indians  were  seen  lurking  in 
the  adjoining  woods.  The  frontier  settlements  began 
to  feel  somewhat  secure,  and  consequently  remitted 
their  vigilance;  but  it  was  ascertained,  early  in  the 
spring,  that  the  enemy  were  collecting  forces  in  Canada 
for  some  important  attack.  Intelligence  was  carried  to 
Governor  Dudley,  at  Boston,  that  an  army,  consisting 
of  eight  hundred  men,  was  about  marching  for  some  one 
of  the  frontier  settlements.  Upon  the  receipt  of  this,  he 
"  ordered  guards  in  the  most  exposed  places  of  both  his 
provinces."  A  body  of  troops,  under  Capt.  Robert  Cof- 
fin, patrolled  from  Kingston  to  Cochecho,  and  scouts 
were  ordered  to  be  kept  out  continually.  Four  hun- 
dred Massachusetts  Militia  were  posted  in  N.  H.  Prov- 
ince. The  guard  sent  to  this  town,  consisted  of  about 
forty  men,  accompanied  with  three  choice  officers,  from 
Salem,  Major  Turner,  afterwards  Colonel,  a  principal 
merchant  of  that  place,  and  for  many  years  a  member  of 
the  council;  Capt.  Price,  and  Capt.  Gardner,  and  soon 
after  their  arrival,  they  were  posted  in  the  frontier 
houses  and  garrisons. 

Early  in  the  year  a  grand  council  was  held  at  Mon- 
treal, when  an  extensive  engagement  was  agreed  upon; 
which  was  to  be  joined  by  the  principal  Indians  of  every 
tribe  in  Canada,  the  Abenakis  tribe,  one  hundred  select 
French  Canadians,  and  a  number  of  volunteers,  several 
of  whom  were  officers  in  the  French  army,  composing  a 
formidable  body  of  about  four  hundred  men.  The 
French  were  commanded  by  DeChaillons,  and  the  infa- 
mous Hertel  de  Rouville,  the  sacker  of  Deerfield,*  and 

*  Deei-fiekl  was  desolated  in  the  winter  of  1704.  The  French 
and  Indians  were  commanded  by  this  same  Hertel  de  Rouville,  whose 
name  will  ever  be  coupled  with  infamy,  "  assisted  by  four  of  his 
brothers;  all  of  which  had  been  trained  up  to  the  business  by  their 
father,  who  had  been  a  famous  partizan  in  their  former  wars."  They 
slaughtered  forty-seven  of  the  inhabitants,  plundered  the  village,  and 
set  it  on  fire.  They  then  retreated,  carrying  with  them  one  hundred 
and  twelve,  as  prisoners  of  war.     Dr.  Samuel  Williams,  the  inune- 


118 

the  Indians  by  La  Perriere.  The  Indians  were  mevci- 
less,  insolent  and  revengeful;  but  the  French  at  that 
period  equalled,  and  we  had  almost  said,  exceeded  them 
in  acts  of  wantonness  and  barbarity.  When  the  former 
were  weary  of  murdering  "  poor,  helpless  women  and 
children" — when  they  were  glutted  with  blood,  it  is  said 
that  M.  Vaudreuil,  then  Governor  of  Canada,  employed 
the  latter  to  do  it.* 

To  excite  less  surprise  among  the  English,  they  di- 
vided their  army  into  two  bodies;  the  French  with  the 
Algonquin,  the  St.  Francois  and  Huron  Indians,  were 
to  take  the  route  by  the  river  St.  Francois,  and  La  Per- 
riere and  the  French  Mohawks,  were  to  pass  by  Lake 
Champlain.  Lake  Kickisipigue  was  appointed  the  place 
of  rendezvous,  and  there  they  were  to  meet  the  Nor- 
ridgewock,  the  Penobscot,  and  other  eastern  tribes.* 
These  arrangements  being  completed,  they  commenced 
their  march  on  the  16th  of  July;  but  before  the  first 
named  party  had  arrived  to  the  St.  Francois,  a  Huron 
was  accidentally  killed  by  a  companion,  which  was  con- 
sidered by  the  tribe  as  an  ill-omen,  and  that  the  expedi- 
tion, though  commenced  under  such  favorable  auspices, 
would  certainly  prove  unfortunate.  Strongly  impressed 
with  this  idea,  and  not  wishing  to  be  connected  with  it 
if  it  should  so  prove,  they  deserted.  The  JMohawks 
then  pretended  that  an  infectious  distemper  had  broken 
out  among  them,  and  that  it  M'ould  soon  spread  among 
the  rest  of  the  tribes,  if  they  remained — and  they  also 
returned.  M.  Vaudreuil,  when  he  heard  of  this,  imme- 
<iiately  sent  v/ord  to  the  French  officers  to  proceed,  and 
fall  upon  some  of  the  English  settlements,  even  if  they 
should  be  deserted  by  the  Algonquin  and  St.  Francois 
tribes.  These,  however,  remained  firm  to  their  allegi- 
eince,  and  they  continued  their  march;  but  when  they 
arrived  at  Nickisipigue,  their  rendezvous,  what  was 
their  astonishment  at  finding  that  the  eastern  Indians 
had  broken  faith  with  them. 

diate   descendant    of  one   of  the   principal  sufferers,  and  the  accom- 
phshed  historian  of  Vermont,  has  given  an  interesting  account  of  the 
^vhole  affair. 
*  Hutchinson. 


119 

It  is  said  that  their  first  design  was  to  attack  Port;** 
mouth,  and  then,  marching  rapidly  onward  to  other  set- 
tlements, spread  terror  and  desolation  along  the  whole 
frontier.  But  being  unable  to  accomplish  this  on  ac- 
count of  the  unexpected  desertions,  they  were  obliged 
to  compress  their  views.  Their  whole  force  was  now 
about  250,  a  small  number  when  compared  with  that 
which  started  from  Canada.  Probably  the  French  offi- 
cers felt  ashamed  to  return  without  efiecting  something, 
after  they  had  been  at  so  much  trouble  and  expense; 
accordingly,  Haverhill,  a  compact  village,  consisting  of 
about  thirty  houses,*  was  selected  for  the  slaughter. 

At  the  break  of  day,  on  the  29th  of  August,  they 
passed  the  frontier  garrisons  undiscovered,  and  were 
first  seen  near  the  pound,  marching  two  and  two,  by 
John  Keezar,t  who  was  returning  from  Amesbury.  He 
immediately  ran  into  the  village  and  alarmed  the  inhab- 
itants, who  seem  to  have  slept  totally  unguarded,  by  fir- 

*  Hutchinson. 

t  This  Keezar,  the  son  of  John  Keezar,  who  was  killed  when 
Mrs.  Dustm  was  captivated,  was  a  very  eccentric  man,  and  a  jack  at 
all  trades.  He  was  said  to  be  exceedingly  proud  of  his  proficiency  ia 
walking,  leaping,  and  other  manual  exercises;  and,  if  tradition  may 
be  relied  upon,  he  was  certainly  a  great  walker  and  leaper;  for  it  is 
said  that  he  walked  to  Boston  and  back  again  in  one  night,  and 
jumped  over  a  cart  whh  two  large  pails  full  of  milk  in  his  hands.  It 
was  his  custom  to  go  from  this  town  to  Amesbury  and  pitch  his  tent 
on  the  side  of  a  hill,  where  he  worked  at  the  trade  of  shoemaking, 
ar.d  lived  in  all  respects,  while  there,  like  an  austere  hermit.  Some 
say,  that  when  he  discovered  the  enemy,  he  was  out  to  take  in  his 
horse,  which,  according  to  his  custom,  he  had  turned  into  his  neigh- 
bor's field  to  feed.  Others  say  they  were  discovered  by  one  Hutch- 
ins,  who  was  out  to  steal  milk  from  his  neighbors'  cows. 

Another  account  says  that  the  slaughter  might  have  been  pievent- 
ed  had  it  not  been  for  the  agitation  of  a  young  man,  who,  hitending 
to  start  very  early  that  morning  for  a  distant  town,  went  up  on  the 
Conmion  to  catch  his  horse,  and  while  there,  discovered  the  enemy 
advancing  toward  the  village.  He  immediately  hastened  to  the  town, 
but  in  his  extreme  agitation,  he  thought  Only  of  the  safety  of  the 
young  lady  to  whom  he  had  paid  very  particular  attention  some  time 
previous.  It  is  said  that  he  passed  through  a  part  of  the  village, 
went  directly  to  the  abode  of  his  mistress,  and  concealed  her  in  a 
pile  of  boards.  He  then,  after  seeing  his  own  property  safe,  and 
which,  perhaps,  was  all  he  possessed  in  the  wide  world,  gave  the 
alarm;  but  the  attack  had  already  commenced. 


120 


ing  his  gun  near  the  meeting-house.     The  enemy  soon 
apiieared,  making  the  air  ring  Avith  terrific  yells,  with  a 
sort  of  whistle,  which,  says  tradition,  could  be  heard  as 
far  as  a  horn,  and  clothed  in  all  the  terrors  of  a  savage 
war-dress.     They  scattered  in  every  direction  over  the 
village,  so  that  they  might  accomplish  their  bloody  work 
with'^more  despatch.     The   first  person   they  saw,  was 
Mrs.  Smith,  whom  they  shot  as  she  was  flymg  from  her 
house  to  a  garrison.     The   foremost   party  attacked  the 
house=^  of  Rev.  Benjamin  Rolfe,  which  was  then  garri- 
soned with  three  soldiers,  and  he,  and  a  part  of  his  be- 
loved and  accomplished  family,  were  suddenly  awaken- 
ed from  their  slumbers,  only  to  hear  the  horrid  knell  for 
their  departure.     Mr.   Rolfe  instantly  leaped  from  his 
bed,  placed  himself  against  the   door,  which  they  were 
endeavoring  to  beat  in,  and  called  on  the  soldiers  for 
assistance  ;°but  these   craven-hearted    men    refused   to 
give  it,  for  they  were  palsied  with  fear,  and  walked  to 
and  fro  through  the  chambers,  crying  and  swinging  their 
arms.     Had  they  displayed  but  half  the  ordinary  cour- 
age of  men,  no  doubt  they  would  have  successfully  de- 
fended the  house.     But,  instead  of  that,  they  did  not 
fire  a  gun,  or  even  lift   a  finger  towards  its  defence. 
The  enemy  finding  their  entrance  strenuously  opposed, 
fired  two  balls  through  the  door,  one  of  which  took  effect, 
and   wounded    Mr.^Rolfe    in   the    elbow.     They   then 
pressed  against  it  with  their  united  strength,  and  Mr 
Rolfe  finding  it  impossible  to  resist  them  any  longer,  fled 
precipitately  through  the   house,  and   out  at  the  back 
door.     The  Indians  followed,  overtook  him  at  the  well, 
and  despatched  him  with  their  tomahawks.!     They  then 

*  Where  die  parsonage  house  now  stands. 

t  Another  account  says  that  he  was  killed  by  one  of  the  bullets 
shot  throu-h  the  door,  and  this  we  helieve  is  the  prevailing  opinion; 
but  we  feel  confident  that  it  is  untrue.  We  know  that  it  is  hard  for 
others,  as  well  as  ourselves,  to  give  up  a  tradition  which  we  have 
often  heard  repeated  by  our  neighbors,  and  by  our  flit  hers;  but  in 
this  case  we  think  it  must  be  done,  if  the  truth  is  desired.  ^^  hen 
we  first  began  to  develope  the  attair,  we  felt  confident,  almost  to  a 
certainty,  that  he  was  killed  through  the  door,  because  every  body 
said  so;  and  indeed,  we  had  once  so  wrote  it,  and  read  it  to  a  Iriend 
of  ours,  who  agreed  with  us  on  that  point,  at  least  he  made  no  ob- 
jections to  it.     But  while  examimng  other  aflairs,  we  were  shown 


1^1 


c.e.arched  every  part  of  the  house  for  plunder,  and  also 
for  other  victhns,  on  whom  they  might  mflict  their 
savao-e  cruelties.  They  soon  found  Mrs.  Rolfe  and 
her  youngest  child,  Mchitable,  and  while  one  of  them 
sunk  his  hatchet  deep  in  her  head,  another  took  the  m- 
fant  from  her  dying  grasp,  and  dashed  its  head  agamst 
a  stone  near  the  door.  _  i     •   i  . 

Two  of  Mr.  Rolfe's  children,  about  six  and  eight 
years  of  ao-e,*  were  providentially  saved  by  the  sagacity 
knd  courage  of  Hagar,  a  negro  slave,  who  was  an  in- 
mate of  the  family.  Upon  the  first  alarm,  she  leaped 
from  her  bed,  carried  them  into  the  cellar,  covered  them 
with  two  tubs,  and  then  concealed  herself.  The  enemy 
entered  the  cellar  and  plundered  it  of  every  thing  valua- 
ble They  repeatedly  passed  the  tubs  that  covered  the 
two  children,  and  even  trod  on  the  foot  of  one,  without 
discovering  them.  They  drank  milk  from  the  pans, 
then  dashed  them  on  the  cellar  bottom,  and  took  meat 
from  the  barrel,  behind  which  Hagar  was  concealed. 

Anna  Whittaker,  who  was  then  living  in  the  family 
of  Mr.  Rolfe,  concealed  herself  in  an  apple-chest,  under 
the  stairs,  and  escaped  unharmed.  But  it  fared  differ- 
ently with  the  cowardly  soldiers.  They  earnestly  beg- 
ged for  mercy,  of  their  inhuman  conquerors,  but  their 
cries  were  unheeded;  and  when  the  massacre  was^over, 
their  bodies  were  numbered  with  the  slain.  We  can 
have  no  pity  for  the  fate  of  such  contemptible  cowards. 
A  man  who  will  shrink  from  danger  at  such  a  time,  and 
in  such  a  situation,  while  he  holds  the  weapons  of  de- 
fence in  his  hands,  should  be  ranked  with  the  reptde, 
and  ever  be  looked  upon   with    scorn   by    the    world. 

some  extracts  from  the  manuscript  account  of  Rev.  Abiel  Abbot,  taken 
by  him  from  the  lips  of  Judith  Whiting,  and  which  has  been  betore 
mentioned  in  this  work.  Mrs.  Whiting  was  eight  years  old  when 
the  attack  happened,  and  when  she  gave  the  account  to  Mr.  Abbot, 
thoucrh  very  aged,  her  faculties  were  unimpaired;  and  she  stated  that 
he  was  shot  through  the  elbow,  fled  through  the  house,  and  was 
tomahawked  at  the  well.  We  place  much  reliance  on  her  statement, 
and  no  donbt,  the  story  of  Mr.  Rolfe's  being  killed  through  the  door, 
arose  from  the  wound  which  he  received  in  his  elbow.  It  appears 
to  us  very  probable  that  it  should. 

*  One  was  afterwards  married  to  Col.  Hatch,  of  Dorchester,  the 
Other  to  the  Rev.  Samuel  Checkley,  sen.,  of  Boston. 
11 


122 

The  names  of  such,  should  sink  in  oblivion,  or  survive 
aa  memorials  of  surpassing  infamy. 

The  family  of  Thomas  Hartshorne  suffered  as  se- 
verely as  that  of  IMr.  Rolfe.  He  saw  a  party  ap- 
proaching to  assault  his  house,  which  stood  a  few  rods 
west  of  the  meeting-house,  and  escaped  out  of  it,  follow- 
ed by  two  of  his  sons,  to  call  assistance;  but  all  three 
were  shot  dead  immediately  after  leaving  it.  A  third 
son  was  tomahawked  as  he  was  coming  out  at  the  door. 
Mrs.  Hartshorne,  with  that  presence  of  mind  which  is  a 
characteristic  of  her  sex,  when  surrounded  with  danger, 
instantly  took  the  rest  of  her  children — except  an  infant 
which  she  left  on  a  bed  in  the  garret,  and  which  she 
was  afraid  would,  by  its  cries,  betray  their  place  of  con- 
cealment, if  she  took  it  with  her — through  a  trap-door 
into  the  cellar.  The  enemy  entered  the  house,  and  be- 
gan to  plunder  it,  but  happily  did  not  discover  them. 
They  went  into  the  garret,  took  the  infant  from  its  bed, 
and  threw  it  out  at  the  window.  It  fell  on  a  pile  of 
clapboards,  and  when  the  action  was  over,  it  was  found 
completely  stunned.  It  lived,  however,  and  became  a 
man  of  uncommon  stature,  and  of  remarkable  strength. 
His  neighbors  would  frequently  joke  him,  and  say  that 
the  Indians  stunted  him  when  they  threw  him  from  the 
garret-window.* 

One  of  the  parties  proceeded  towards  the  river,  and 
attacked  the  housef  of  Lieut.  John  Johnson.  Mr.  John- 
son and  his  wife,  with  an  infant  a  year  old  in  her  arms, 
were  standing  at  the  door,  when  the  enemy  made  their 
appearance.  Mr.  Johnson  was  shot,  and  his  wife  fled 
through  the  house  into  the  garden, J  carrying  her  babe, 
where  she  was  overtaken  by  the  foe,  and  immediately 
despatched.  But  when  she  fell,  she  was  careful  not  to 
injure  her  child,  and  it  seemed  as  if  her  last  thoughts 
were  for  its  safety.  The  enemy,  it  appears,  did  not 
murder  it,  and  it  is  somewhat  remarkable  that  they  did 
not;   for  they  always  took  great  delight  in  torturing  and 

*  x^bbol's  IMSS. 

t  It  s-tood  on  the  spot  now  covered  by  the  mansion  of  the  late 
lion.  Bailey  Bartlett. 

t  The  £;aiden  was  where  the  Post-office  now  stands. 


123 

dashin<r  out  the  brains  of  innocent  babes.  Perhaps  it 
was  because  the  mother  was  not  aUve  to  witness  its 
agonies.  After  tiie  massacre  was  over,  it  was  found  at 
the  breast  of  its  dead  mother.* 

Another  party  rifled  and  burnt  the  house  of  Mr.  Sil- 
ver which  stood  within  ten  rods  of  the  meetmg-house, 
and  others  attacked  the  watch-house,  which  was,  how- 
ever, successfully  defended.  Another  party  went  to 
the  house  of  Capt.  Simon  Wainwright,t  whom  they 
killed  at  the  first  fire.  The  soldiers  stationed  in  tue 
chambers,  were  preparing  to  defend  the  house  till  the 
last  when  Mrs.  V/ainwright  fearlessly  unbarred  the 
door,  and  let  them  in.  She  spoke  to  them  kindly,  wait- 
ed upon  them  with  seeming  alacrity,  and  promised  to 
procure  them  whatever  they  desired.  The  enemy  knew 
not  what  to  make  of  thls;--the  apparent  cheerfulne-^ 
with  which  they  were  received,  and  the  kindness  wita 
which  they  were  treated,  was  so  different  from  what  they 
expected  to  meet  with,  that  it  seemed  to  paralyze  then- 
energies.  They,  however,  demanded  money  of  Mrs. 
Wainwright,  and  upon  her  retiring  "to  bring  it,  as  she 
said,  she  fled  with  all  of  her  children,  except  one 
daughter  who  was  taken  captive,  and  were  not  after- 
wards discovered.  The  enemy,  so  soon  as  they  found 
out  how  completely  they  had  been  deceived,  were  great- 
ly enraged,  and  attacked  the  chambers  with  great  vio- 
lence; but  the  soldiers  courageously  defended  them,^and 
after  attempting  to  fire  the  house,  they  retreated,  taking 
with  them  three  prisoners.  In  the  mean-time,  two  In- 
dians skulked  behind"  a  large  stone,  which  stood  m  the 
field  a  {ew  rods  east  of  the  house,  where  they  could  fire 
upon  its  inmates  at  their  leisure.  The  sokhers  in  the 
chambers  fired  upon  them,  and  killed  them  both.  They 
were  afterwards  buried  in  the  same  field,  a  few  rodrf 
south,  and  but  a  few  years  since,  the  water  washed  their 
skeletons  from  their  places  of  repose. 

Two  Indians  attacked  the  house  of  Mr.  Swan, 
which  stood  in  the  field  now  called  White's  lot,  nearly 
opposite  to  the  house  of  Capt.  Emerson.     Swan  and  hi? 

♦Tradition. 

t  Capt.  Wainwright  lived  in  a  house  which  stood  on  the  groiuwi 
SM3W  covered  hy  Capt,  Nehemiah  Eiuerson's- 


124 

wife  sav/  them  approaching,  and  determmed,  if  possible?, 
to  save  their  own  lives,  and  the  Kves  of  their  children, 
from  the  knives  of  the  ruthless  butchers.  They  im- 
mediately placed  themselves  against  the  door,  which 
was  so  narrow  that  two  conld  scarcely  enter  abreast. 
The  Indians  rushed  against  it,  but  finding  that  it  could 
not  be  easily  opened,  they  commenced  their  operations 
more  systematically.  One  of  them  placed  his  back  to 
the  door,  so  that  he  could  make  his  whole  strength  bear 
upon  it,  while  the  other  pushed  against  him.  The 
strength  of  the  besiegers  was  greater  than  that  of  the 
besieged,  and  Mr.  Swan,  being  rather  a  timid  man,  said 
our  venerable  narrator,  almost  despaired  of  saving  him- 
self and  family,  and  told  his  wife  that  he  thought  it 
would  be  better  to  let  them  in.  But  this  resolute  and 
courageous  woman  had  no  such  idea.  The  Indians  had 
now  succeeded  in  partly  opening  the  door,  and  one  of 
them  was  crovrding  liimself  in,  v/hile  the  other  M'as  push- 
ing lustily  after.  The  heroic  wife  saw  that  there  was 
no  time  for  parleying — she  seized  her  spit,  which  was 
nearly  three  feet  in  length,  and  a  deadly  weapon  in  the 
hands  of  woman,  as  it  proved,  and  collecting  all  the 
strength  she  possessed,  drove  it  through  the  body  of  the 
foremost.  This  was  too  warm  a  reception  for  the  be- 
siegers— it  was  resistance  from  a  source,  and  with  a 
weapon  they  little  expected;  and  surely,  who  else 
would  ever  think  of  spitting  a  man  ? — The  two  Indians, 
thus  repulsed,  immediately  retreated,  and  did  not 
molest  them  again.  Thus,  by  the  fortitude  and  heroic 
courage  of  a  wife  and  mother,  this  family  was  probably 
saved  from  a  bloody  grave. ^ 

One  of  the  parties  set  fire  to  tlie  back  side  of  the 
meeting-house,  a  new,  and  for  that  period,  an  elegant 
building.  These  transactions  were  all  performed  about 
the  same  time;  but  they  were  not  permitted  to  continue 
their  work  of  murder  and  conflagration  long,  before  they 
became  panic-struck.  Mr.  Davis,  an  intrepid  man, 
Vvent   behind  Mr.  Rolfe's  barn,  which   stood   near  the 

*  The  account  of  this  deed  is  received  wholly  from  tradition. 
We  heard  it  related  by  an  aged  and  venerable  gentleman,  Capt.  Ne- 
Iwmiah  Emerson,  who  has  often  heard  it  told  by  his  grand-fatlier^ 
-svho  then  lived  in  the  ga^ri-on  of  liis  fathG-r,.  Jonathan  Emers.on.. 


125 

house,  str-uck  it  violently  with  a  large  club,  called  on 
men  by  name,  gave  the  word  of  command,  as  though  he 
were  ordering  an  attack,  and  shouted  with  a  loud  voice, 
"Come  on!  come  on!  we  will  have  them!"  Ihe  party 
in  Mr.  Rolfe's  house,  supposing  that  a  large  body  ofthe 
Eno-lish  had  come  upon  them,  began  the  cry  ot  Ihe 
English  are  come!"*  and  after  attemptmg  to  hre  the 
house,  precipitately  left  it.  About  this  tmie.  Major 
Turner  arrived  with  a  company  of  soldiers,  and  the 
whole  body  of  the  enemy  then  commenced  a  rapid  re- 
treat, taking  with  them  a  number  of  prisoners.  The 
retreat  commenced  about  the  rising  of  the  sun.  Mean- 
time, Mr.  Davis  ran  to  the  meeting-house,  and  with  the 
aid  of  a  few  others,  succeeded  in  extinguishing  the  de- 
vouring element;  but  it  was  mostly  owing  to  his  exer- 
tions, that  the  house  was  saved. 

The  town,  by  this  time,  was  generally  alarmed. 
Joseph  Bradley  collected  a  small  party,  in  the  nor- 
therly part  of  it,  and  secured  the  medicme-box  and 
packs  of  the  enemy,  which  they  had  left  about  three 
miles  from  the  village.  Capt.  Samuel  Ayer,  a  fearless 
man,  and  of  great  strength,  collected  a  body  of  about 
twenty  men,  and  pursued  the  retreating  foe.  He  came 
up  with  them  just  as  they  were  entering  the  woods, 
when  they  faced  about,  and  though  they  numbered  thir- 
teen or  more  to  one,  still  Capt.  Ayer  did  not  hesitate  to 
give  them  battle.  These  gallant  men  were  soon  rein- 
forced by  another  party,  under  the  command  of  his  son; 
and  after  a  severe  skirmish,  which  lasted  about  an  hour, 
they  re-took  some  of  the  prisoners,  and  the  enemy  pre- 
cipitately retreated,  leaving,  nine  of  their  number  dead. 

The  French  and  Indians  continued  their  retreat,  and 
so  great  were  their  sufferings,  arising  from  the  loss  of 
their  packs,  and  their  consequent  exposure  to  famine, 
that  many  of  the  Frenchmen  returned  and  surrendered 
themselves  prisoners  of  war;  and  some  of  the  captives 
were  dismissed,  with  a  message  that,  if  they  were  pur- 
sued, the  others  should  be  put  to  death.  Perhaps,  if 
they  had  been  pursued,  nearly  the  whole  of  their  force 
might  have  been  conquered;  for  the   Governor,  in  his 

♦Sketch  of  Haverhill. 

11* 


126 

address  to  the  Assembly,  says,  '^  we  might  have  done 
more  against  them  if  we  had  ibllowed  their  tracks."  As 
it  was,  they  lell;  thirty  of  their  immber  dead,  in  both  en- 
gagements, and  many  were  wounded,  whom  they  carri- 
ed with  them.  The  French,  when  they  retnrned,  re- 
ported very  differently  from  this;  they  said  that  they 
"faced  about,  and  that  our  people,  being  astonished, 
were  all  killed  or  taken,  except  ten  or  twelve,  who  es- 
caped."* 

The  inhabitants  were  now  left  to  perform  the  sorrow- 
ful oiFice  of  burying  their  dead — and  it  was  a  sorrowful 
one  indeed.  The  day  was  somevrhat  advanced  when  the 
battle  was  oyer,  and  it  being  extremely  warm,  the  inter- 
ment was  necessarily  hurried.  Cofhns  could  not  be 
made  for  all,  and  a  large  pit  was  dus  in  the  burying- 
ground,  in  which  several  of  them  were  laid.  Some  of 
those  who  fell  in  the  last  engagement,  it  is  presumed, 
were  buried  on  the  spot. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  slain  who  belonged  to 
this  town;  perhaps  it  is  not  full,  though  we  have  taken 
great  pains  to  make  it  so. — Rev.  Benjamin  Rolte,  his 
wife  and  one  child;  Mrs.  Smith,  Thomas  Hartshorne 
and  three  sons;  Lieut.  John  Johnson  and  his  wife,  Cath- 
arine; Capt.  Simon  Wainwright,  Capt.  Samuel  Ayer, 
John  Dalton,  Ruth  Ayer,  wife  of  Thomas  Ayer,  and 
one  daughter,  and  Ruth  Johnson,  wife  of  Thomas  John- 
son. The  whole  number  is  sixteen.  We  have  not 
been  able  to  collect  the  names  of  those  who  were 
taken  prisoners,  and  the  exact  number.  Mr.  Pike,  in 
his  journal,  says  that  the  enemy  "  killed  and  carried 
away  33  persons,  and  burnt  several  houses."  JVTr. 
Hutchinson  says,  "  about  forty"  were  killed  and  taken 
prisoners;  perhaps  the  truth  would  fall  between.  A 
daughter  of  Capt.  Simon  Wainwright,  who  was  not  so 
fortunate  as  to  escape  with  her  mother,  v»hen  she  fled 
with  the  rest  of  her  children,  was  made  prisoner;  and 
in  1710,  her  mother,  Mary,  petitioned  the  General 
Court  to  redeem  her.  The  following  is  her  petition. 
''  Haverhill,  29th  April,  1710. 

To  his  Excellency,  Joseph  Dudley,  Captain-General 
and  Governor  in  chief,  &c.  kc,  to  the  Honorable  counci' 

*  IIutchin?ou, 


and  General  Assembly  now  mett;  the  petition  of  Mary 
Wainwright  sheweth  that,  whereas  my  daughter  hath 
been  for  a  long  time  in  captivity  with  the  French  of 
Canada,  and  I  have  late  reason  to  fear  that  her  soul  is 
in  great  danger  if  not  already  captivated  and  she  brought 
to  their  way;  therefore  I  humbly  intreate  your  Excel- 
lency, that  some  care  may  be  taken  for  her  redemption 
before  Canada  be  so  endeared  to  her  that  I  shall  never 
have  my  daughter  more.  Some  are  ready  to  say  that 
there  are  so  tew  captives  in  Canada  that  it  is  not  worthe 
while  to  put  the  country  to  the  charges  for  them;  but  I 
hope  your  Kxcellency,  nor  any  other  good,  judicious 
man,  will  think  so;  for  St.  James  has  instructed  us,  as 
you  may  see,  chapter  5,  v  ^0 — Let  him  know  that  he 
which  converteth  the  sinner  from  the  error  of  his  way 
shall  save  a  soui  from  death,  and  shall  hide  a  multitude 
of  sins.  This  is  all  I  can  do  at  present,  but  I  desire 
humbly  to  begg  of  God  that  he  would  direct  the  hearts 
of  our  rulers  to  do  that  which  may  be  most  for  his  glory 
and  for  the  good  of  his  poor  distressed  creatures,  and  so 
I  take  leave  to  subscribe  myself  your  most  humble  peti- 
tioner. Widow  Mary  Wainwright. 

In  the  house  of  Representatives  read  and  recom- 
mended 12th  June." 

One  of  the  soldiers,  Joseph  Bartlett,  stationed  at 
Capt.  Wainwright's  house,  was  also  taken  prisoner;  he 
was  a  native  of  Newbury,  was  born  18th  Nov.  1686, 
taken  prisoner  29th  Aug.  1708,  feturned  8th  Nov.  1712, 
and  died  1754,  aged  68.  After  his  return,  he  published 
a  narrative*  of  his  captivity,  and  perhaps  the  History  of 
Haverhill  will  not  be  deemed  an  improper  place  to  give 
a  short  account  of  him. 

''In  the  year  1707 — says  the  narrative — in  Nov.  Ij 
Joseph  Bartlett,  was  pressed  and  sent  to  Haverhill.  My 
quarters  were  in  the  house  of  Capt.  Waindret,  [wright.] 
August  29,  1708,  there  came  about  100  French  and  30 
Indians!  and  beset  the  town  of  Haverhill — set  fire  to 
several  houses;    among  which  was  that  of  Capt.  W.'* 

*  We  have  never  seen  but  one  copy  of  this  narrative,  and  that 
was  obt.^'iied  for  us  by  John  Fanner,  Esq.,  of  Concord. 

t  Most  of  the  accounts  agree  in  stating  that  there  was  about  250 
of  the  enemy. 


128 

After  the  enemy  entered  the  house,  they  took  him  and 
another  soldier,  named  Newmarsh,  and  the  daughter  of 
Mrs.  Wainwright,  prisoners.  Soon  after  the  diflerent 
parties  commenced  their  retreat,  they  knocked  one  of 
their  prisoners  in  head,  named  Lindall,  a  soldier  belong- 
ing to  Salem.  He  then  says:  ''  They  then  marched  on 
together,  when  Capt.  Eaires  [Ayer,]  with  a  small  com- 
pany waylaid  and  shot  upon  them,  which  put  them  to 
flight,  so  that  they  did  not  get  together  again  until  three 
days  after."  Bartlett  said  that  he  was  first  taken  by  the 
French,  but  after  the  battle  they  gave  him  to  the  In- 
dians.    The  three  first  days  they  travelled  hard. 

He  was  compelled  to  carry  a  heavy  pack,  and  travel 
with  his  hands  tied  behind  him.  A  part  of  the  time  he 
was  led  by  an  Indian,  mIio  carried  a  hatchet  in  his  hand 
and  a  pistol  in  his  girdle,  with  a  cord  tied  about  his 
neck.  On  arriving  at  Lake  Winnipiseoge,  the  French 
and  Indians  parted.  The  latter  crossed  the  Lake;  but 
before  they  reached  the  opposite  shore,  tliey  killed  a 
bear  which  was  swimmin_g!;  in  the  water,  towed  it  to  the 
shore,  and  cooked  it.  They  then  fared  sumptuously, 
and  remained  in  that  place  aljout  a  day  and  a  half,  when 
they  proceeded  on  their  journey,  and  travelled  five  days, 
with  scarcely  any  other  sustenance  than  pounded  corn. 
Having  arrived  at  a  river,  the  Indians  made  some 
canoes  in  a  day  and  a  half,  when  they  sailed  down  the 
stream  three  days,  eating  nothing  for  four,  but  a  few 
sour  grapes  and  thorn  plum.s.  They  then  killed  a 
hawk  and  divided  it  among  fifteen — the  head  fell  to  the 
share  of  JMr.  Bartlett,  which,  he  says,  ^'  was  the  largest 
meal  I  had  these  four  days."  From  thence  they  pro- 
ceeded to  Chamble,  and  on  their  passage  they  met  with 
some  Indians  who  gave  them  a  little  corn  and  a  few 
pumpkins.  He  there  saw  an  Englishman,  named  Lit- 
tlefield,  taken  from  Wells.  The  Indians  shaved  the 
hair  from  one  side  of  his  head,  greased  the  other,  and 
painted  his  face.  They  then  started  for  Montreal,  and 
when  they  arrived,  he  was  examined  by  the  Governor, 
and  from  thence  went  to  the  house  of  a  Roman  Catholic 
Priest,  where  he  lodged  over  night.  The  next  morning 
they  started  for  an  Indian  fort,  nine  miles  ^iistant. 
When  about  half  way,  they  came  to  a  fire,  surrounded 


129 

by  '^  fifteen  men  and  thirty  boys,"  where  they  held  a 
consultation  about  burning  him;  but  before  it  was  clos- 
ed, the  Indians,  who  owned  him,  and  the  boys,  marched 
away.  Soon  as  they  arrived  at  the  fort,  they  began  to 
abuse  their  prisoner — a  squaw  cut  ofi^  his  little  finger, 
and  another  beat  him  with  a  pole.  The  Indians  danced 
and  sung  all  night,  and  invited  him  to  join  them,  but  he 
refused  °  they  pulled  him  into  the  ring,  however,  and  he 
went  once  round  it.  An  Indian  then  came  to  him,  and, 
after  making  a  long  speech,  gave  him  to  an  old  squaw, 
who  took  him  to  her  wigwam.  In  February  next,  he 
went  to  live  with  a  Frenchman,  named  Delude,  and  re- 
mained with  him  until  Sunday,  October  5,  171:2,  when 
he  started  to  return  to  his  friends  in  Newbury,  and  ar- 
rived on  the  8th  November,  after  a  captivity  of  four 
years,  two  months,  and  nine  days. 

After  his  return,  the  General  Court  ordered  that 
*^the  sum  of  £20.  15s.  be  allowed  and  paid  to  Joseph 
Bartlett  in  full  of  his  petition  of  charges  and  expenses 
to  obtain  his  liberty  from  the  Indians,  being  taken  pris- 
oner by  the  Indians  at  Haverhill  when  in  her  Majesties 
service  in  the  year  1708,  and  for  his  support^during  four 
years  captivity  and  for  the  loss  of  his  arms." 

Mr.  Pike,  in  his  journal,  says  that  "  many  soldiers 
belonging  to  Salem  were  here  slain."  Among  them 
was  William  Coffin,  who  distinguished  himself  for  his 
bravery;  and  soon  after,  his  widow  petitioned  the  Gen- 
eral Court  for  relief,  when  it  passed  the  following 
resolve: 

^'  Nov.  3,  1708. — Resolved  that  the  sum  of  £5  be 
allowed  and  paid  out  of  the  publick  Treasury  to  the  Pe- 
titioner, Mrs.  Sarah  Coffin,  on  account  of  the  remarka- 
ble forwardness  and  courage  which  her  husband,  Wil- 
liam Coffin  of  Salem,  distinguished  himself  by,  in  the 
action  at  Haverhill  where  he  was  slain." 

Mr.  Rolfc,  his  wile  and  child,  were  buried  in  one 
grave,  near  the  south  end  of  the  burial-ground.  A  sin- 
gle monument  was  erected  to  their  memory,  on  which 
was  chiselled  an  inscription  for  each;  but  the  hand  of 
time  has  been  rough  with  them— they  are  overgrown 
with  moss,  and  the  epitaphs   are   now   almost  illegible. 


130 

The  following  is  the  epitaph  of  Mr.  Rolfc: 

"  Clauditur  hoc  tumulo  corpus  Reverendi  pii  cloctique 
viri.  D.  Benjamin  Rolfe,  ecclesice  Chrisii  qucz  est  in  ha- 
verhill  pastoris  JideUssimi;  qui  domi  suce  ad  hostibiis  bar- 
bare  trucidatus.  A  laborihus  suis  requieiiit  mane  diei 
sacrce  quietis,  Auo;.  XXIX  anno  domini,  MDCCVIII. 
^tatis  suce  XLVV 

The  sense  of  this  epitaph  is  contained  in  the  following: 
'^  Enclosed  in  this  tomh  is  the  body  of  the  revered,  pious 
and  learned  man,  Benjamin  Rolfe,  who  was  a  most  faith- 
ful pastor  of  the  Churcli  of  Christ  in  Haverhill.  He  was 
barbarously  slain  by  the  enemy  at  his  own  house,  on 
the  morning  of  the  sabbath,  the  29th  of  Aug.,  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord,  1708,  and  in  the  46th  year  of  his  age." 

This  wortliy  man  was  born  in  Newbury,  1662,  and 
graduated  at  Cambridge,  1684.  He  seems  to  have 
been  a  pious  and  upright  man,  ardently  devoting  his 
time  and  talents  to  forward  the  cause  of  his  Saviour. 
He  was  respected  and  beloved  by  his  people,  and  we 
cannot  learn  that  any  difficulty  arose  between  them,  after 
his  settlement. 

The  grave-stones  of  Capt.  Ayer,  Capt.  Wainwright, 
and  Lieut.  Johnson,  are  nigh  to  Mr.  Rolfe 's,  but  are 
considerably  damaged,  and  their  inscriptions  have  be- 
come nearly  illegible. 

Capt.  Ayer  was  slain  in  the  last  engagement,  before 
the  reinforcement  arrived.  He  was  shot  in  the  groin, 
and  being  a  large,  robust  man,  bled  profusely.  When 
his  son  arrived,  he  was  told  that  his  father  was  killed, 
and  the  informant  pointed  him  out.  He  looked  at  the 
corpse  a  while,  as  it  lay  on  the  grass,  all  covered  with 
blood,  and  told  his  informant  that  that  person  could  not 
be  his  father,  for  he  (meaning  the  person  slain,)  had  on 
a  pair  of  red  breeches.  Capt.  Ayer  was  one  of  the  Se- 
lectmen, a  Deacon  of  the  church,  and  one  of  the  most 
worthy,  active  and  intelligent  citizens  of  the  town.  He 
lived  near  the  house  of  Capt.  John  Ayer,  2d.  Lieut. 
Johnson  was  also  a  Deacon  of  the  church,  and  was  an 
active  and  useful  citizen.  He  is  supposed  to  be  de- 
scended from  Capt.  Edward  Johnson,  the  author  of  the 
"  Wonder  Working  Providence  of  Zion^s  Saviour'''  in 
New-England,  and  who,  in  company  with  Jonathan 
Ince,  of  Cambridge,  and   Sergeant   John   Sherman  of 


131 

Watertown,  surveyed  the  northern  bounds  of  the  Patent 
of  Massachusetts,  in  1652. 

Capt.  Wainwright  came  from  Ipswich;  he  had  two 
brothers,  John  and  Francis.  His  father,  whose  name  was 
Francis,  came  from  Chelmsford,  in  England,  when  a 
boy,  and  died  about  1690.  He  is  particularly  noticed 
in  the  Pequot  war,  where  he  was  simultaneously  attack- 
ed by  two  Indians,  and  while  defending  himself  broke 
the  stock  of  his  gun;  he  then  used  the  barrel  and 
finally  killed  them  both. 

Capt.  Wainwright  was  a  high-minded  and  influen- 
tial citizen.  He  was  supposed  to  be  very  rich,  and 
there  is  a  tradition  which  states  that  he  had  a  large 
chest  filled  with  dollars — and  that  he  oflfered  a  man  the 
whole  if  he  would  extract  one  of  them  with  his  fingers. 
The  man  ''  pulled  and  tugged,"  as  our  informant  said, 
with  all  his  strength,  but  alas!  the  thing  was  impossible, 
and  he  was  obliged  to  leave  it,  and  be  satisfied  with 
only  looking  at  the  precious  stufi*.  It  was  also  said  that 
he  buried  much  of  his  money,  and  a  part  of  the  field, 
south  of  Capt.  Nehemiah  Emerson's  house,  has  been 
dug  over,  for  the  purpose  of  finding  it.  The  large  oak- 
tree,  near  Little  River,  has  been  twice  dug  around  for 
the  same  object,  within  the  remembrance  of  many  of 
our  citizens;  but  the  tantalizing  dreams  of  the  "  money- 
diggers,"  it  is  believed,  were  never  realized. 

This  29th  of  August  will  ever  be  remembered  by  the 
inhabitants  of  Haverhill — its  history  is  yet  related  by 
many  of  the  descendants  of  the  suflferers,  and  the  door 
through  which  Mr.  Rolfe  was  wounded,  is  now  nailed 
up  in  the  porch  of  the  First  Parish  Meeting-house,  for 
a  memorial  of  that  bloody  tragedy.  Some  of  the  most 
influential  and  worthy  citizens  were  slain.  The  tender- 
est  ties  of  earth  were  broken  and  left  to  bleed.  Nearly 
ail  of  some  families  were  swept  from  the  stage  of  exist- 
ence— in  a  moment  they  were  separated  from  all  they 
loved  on  earth,  to  appear  before  their  Maker  and 
Judge.  They  laid  their  heads  on  their  pillows  the 
night  before,  and  little  thought  that  the  sword  of  death 
was  suspended  over  them — that  the  yell  of  a  savage 
horde  would  awake  them  from  their  slumbers,  only  to 
witness  the  hand  which  plunged  the  knife  into  their 
bosoms. 


132 

It  has  been  a  melancholy  task  to  record  the  events 
of  that  day.  Though  more  than  a  century  has  elapsed — 
though  the  names  of  many  of  the  actors  had  nearly 
passed  into  oblivion — yet  it  has  lost  none  of  its  interest. 

The  following  lines  were  suggested  after  we  had 
written  the  foregoing  account. 

Down  came  the  foemen,  fierce  and  strong, 

Just  at  the  break  of  day, 
Kor  sound  was  heard,  save  curses  deep, 

Along  their  dark  array; 
For  swift  and  cautiously  they  came, 

Like  tigers  seeking  prey. 

With  stealthy  step  they  crept  along, 

And  spread  themselves  about, 
The  cold,  remorseless  Frenchman  here. 

And  there  the  Indian  stout; 
And  they  swung  their  knives  and  hatchets  keen. 

Like  demons  on  a  rout. 

The  w  hite  man  on  his  bed  was  stretched, 

Nor  a  thouijht  of  foes  had  he; 
Close  at  his  side  his  wife  reposed. 

Nor  a  thought  of  blood  had  she-, 
And  neither  dreamed  their  infant  ones, 

All  murdered  soon  would  be. 

On— on,  the  ruthless  foemen  came, 

With  loud  and  thrilling  yell ; 
As  wolves  upon  a  fold  come  down, 

On  the  sleeping  men  they  fell. 
And  would  that  none  should  then  escape. 

Their  bloody  deeds  to  tell  I 

How  thickly  were  the  dead  men  strewed 

On  that  eventful  day  ! 
For  a  corse  was  here,  and  another  tliere, 

And  pale  and  chill  were  they ; 
And  blood  was  there,  and  blood  was  here. 

And  all  around  it  lay. 

Here  lay  the  man  with  a  bloodless  face, 

The  man  so  strong  and  bold  ; 
There  lay  the  wife  with  wilted  lip, 

And  bosom  stiff  and  cold  ; 
And  further  on,  with  mangled  limbs. 

Her  child  of  two  years  old. 


133 

Oh,  God !  they  were  a  cursed  band — 

A  reckless  company, 
Far  bloodier  than  the  bucanier 

Who  sails  the  briny  sea, 
And  fiei-cer  than  the  leopardess 

That  roams  the  desert  free. 

The  fray  was  o'er — the  smoke  blew  o'er, 

And  fast  the  foemen  fled  ; 
Then  many  a  man  and  wife  were  seea 

Among  the  stiffened  dead, 
To  seek  the  pale  and  lifeless  one, 

Whose  infant  steps  they  led. 

And  forth  they  went  with  sorrow  blent, 

Where  lay  a  friend  or  foe  ; 
And  o'er  the  field  where  the  strong  did  yield, 

They  travelled  to  and  fro ; 
With  buriving  fears  and  scalding  tears, 

The  man  and  wife  did  go. 

Over  their  heads  the  sun  looked  down. 

And  he  was  fiercely  hot ; 
Nor  a  cloud  went  o'er  his  scorching  eye. 

And  cooling  winds  blew  not  ; 
And  they  hastened  on  the  funeral  hour, 

Lest  all  the  dead  would  rot. 

In  the  grave-yard  lone  they  dug  a  pit, 

They  dug  it  wide  and  deep, 
And  in  it  laid  the  corses  pale — 

They  laid  them  there  to  sleep  ', 
Then  flung  the  cold,  dank  clay  upoa 

The  stiff  and  ghastly  heap. 

On  the  26th  of  October,  "  A  petition  of  the  Select- 
men of  Haverhill  representing  the  distress'd  condition 
of  the  said  town,  by  reason  of  the  havoc  lately  made  on 
them  by  the  enemy,  prayin^  for  an  abatement  of  their 
quota  to  y®  Province  Tax  with  the  vote  passed  thereon 
by  the  house  of  Representatives,  viz:  ordered  that  the 
sum  of  £30  be  abated  of  the  tax  of  Haverhill  was  read 
and  passed  in  concurrence.* 

8th  Nov.  Fifty  pounds  were  raised  to  pay  the  town 
debts. 

♦  Colony  Files. 


134 


1700. 

Feb,  The  town  invited  Mr.  Nicholas  Seaver  to 
settle;  but  his  propositions  were  such  that  the  town 
would  not  agree  to  them. 

The  house  of  Col.  Richard  Saltonstall,*  was  blown 
up  by  a  negro  wench,  on  the  night  of  the  29th  of  March. 
In  Mr.  Pike's  journal,  it  is  mentioned  thus: — "  Colo. 
Saltonstall's  house  blown  up  by  negroes  29th  March 
1709.  Though  many  lodged  that  night  in  the  house, 
yet  nobody  hurt.  A  marvellous  providence."  Tradi- 
tion has  hoarded  many  stories  concerning  this  affair, 
some  of  which  are  extremely  ridiculous.  The  follow- 
ing, it  is  believed,  is  a  true  statement  of  the  case.  It 
appears  that  the  Col.  had  severely  corrected  the  wench, 
some  time  previous,  for  misbehaviour,  and  ever  after, 
she  cherished  a  feeling  of  hatred  toward  him,  and  deter- 
mined to  take  signal  revenge.  In  the  dead  of  night,  on 
the  29th,  when  the  house  was  wrapped  in  profound  still- 
ness, she  carried  a  quantity  of  powder  into  the  room, 
directly  under  that  which  was  then  occupied  by  the  Col. 
and  his  wife.  Having  fixed  a  long  train  and  connected 
it  with  the  powder,  she  dropped  a  match  upon  it,  and 
fled  precipitately  to  the  farm-house,  which  stood  but  a 
few  rods  distant.  She  had  scarcely  secured  herself, 
when  the  powder  went  oil' with  a  tremendous  explosion, 
and  nearly  or  quite  demolished  the  house.  The  Col. 
and  his  wife,  were  thrown  in  their  bed,  some  distance 
from  the  house,  without  receiving  any  injury.  The  sol- 
diers stationed  in  the  house,  were  scattered  in  every 
direction,  but  happily,  no  lives  were  lost.  The  Col., 
after  recovering  from  his  surprise,  went  directly  to  the 
farm-house  and  found  his  servants  all  up,  excepting  this 
wench,  who  feigned  sleep.  He  suspected  and  charged 
her  with  the  deed,  but  it  could  never  be  proved. 

12th  Sept.  "  The  town  and  church  being  conven- 
ed," it  was  voted,  without  a  dissenting  voice,  that  a 
committee  should   be  chosen  to  express  their  thanks  to 

*  It  was  the  same  which  was  occupied  by  his  father,  Nathaniel 
►^altonstall,  Esq. 


135 

Mr.  Richard  Brown  for  the  faithfulness  with  which  he 
had  preached  the  gospel  and  discharged  the  duties  of  a 
minister,  the  past  season — and  to  invite  him  to  settle. 
Mr.  Brown  declined  the  invitation. 

5th  Dec.  Liberty  was  obtained  from  the  town,  by 
a  number  of  individuals,  to  build  two  seats  '^  in  the  hind 
seat  in  the  west  gallery"  of  the  meeting-house,  if  they 
would  build  them  so  high  "  as  not  to  damnify  the  light  of 
the  windows." 

Samuel  Hutchins  petitioned  the  General  Court  for 
relief,  stating  that  he  broke  his  leg  in  her  Majesty's  ser- 
vice;— whereupon  it  was  resolved,  "  that  the  sum  of  £3. 
4s.  be  allowed  and  paid  out  of  the  PubUc  Treasury  to 
the  Petitioner,  Samuel  Hutchins,  to  defray  therein  men- 
tioned of  his  cure." 


20th  June.     The  parsonage  house  was  ordered  to  be 
repaired  and  fortified. 

On  the  20th  October,  at  a  church-meeting,  held  at 
ten  o'clock,  A.  M.,  it  was  unanimously  voted  to  invite 
Mr.  Joshua  Gardner  to  become  their  settled  minister. 
At  two  o'clock,  P.  M.,  a  town  meeting  was  holden, 
when  the  proceedings  of  the  church  were  read,  and  ap- 
proved of  without  a  dissenting  vote.  They  then  grant- 
ed an  annual  salary  of  seventy  pounds  to  Mr.  Qardner, 
if  he  accepted  of  their  invitation.  His  answer  to  their 
proposals  was  read  on  the  11th  of  December,  at  a  meet- 
ing called  for  that  purpose,  in  which  he  consented  to 
comply  with  their  request,  and  it  v/as  agreed  that  he 
should  be  ordained  on  the  11th  of  January  next.  "  Col. 
Richard  Saltonstall  then  gave  notice  to  John  White, 
that  by  reason  of  his  wife's  illness,  and  the  coldness  of 
the  season,  he  could  not  provide  for  the  ordination,  and 
therefore  did  wholly  relinquish  it,  and  the  said  White 
took  care  of  it." 

Mr.  Gardner  was  accordingly  ordained  on  the  11th 
of  January,  1711. 


136 


1711. 


John  Swett,  a  native  of  Newbury,  was  appointed 
ferryman  at  the  Rocks; — hence  the  name  of  "  Swett's 
ferry."  It  is  beUeved  that  there  were  then  no  more 
than  two  houses  at  that  place;  and,  indeed,  the  whole 
town  had  increased  but  very  little,  if  any,  in  population, 
during  the  last  thirty  years.  Strangers  would  not  move 
into  it,  on  account  of  the  danger  arising  from  the  Indian 
war,  and  it  is  probable  that  those  who  sickened  and 
died,  and  those  who  were  slain  by  the  enemy,  nearly 
equalled  the  births. 

22d  Oct.  A  motion  was  made  in  town-meeting,  to 
raise  five  pounds  to  support  a  grammar-school,  "  pro- 
vided those  that  sent  their  children  should  make  up  the 
rest,"  and  was  immediately  voted  down. 

1719. 

The  town  was  again  presented  for  being  destitute  of 
a  school-master,  and  on  the  12th  of  May,  Nathaniel 
Haseltine  was  chosen  to  appear  at  the  Court  of  General 
Sessions,  held  at  Salem,  to  answer  it. 

The  bounty  of  twenty  shillings  for  every  wolfs  head 
Avas  still  continued. 


1713. 

2d  March.  The  Selectmen  and  Constables  were 
ordered  "to  regulate  the  conduct  of  disorderly  boys  on 
the  Sabbath,  in  the  meeting  house." 

1714. 

In  the  month  of  September,  a  fire  raged  through  the 
w'oods,  and   did  considerable  damage.     Much  standmg 


13? 

timb^t  -svus  destroyed  and  some  hay.  At  a  town- meet* 
ing,  warned  on  the  14th,  so  few  attended  on  this  account 
that  a  Moderator  only  was  chosen,  and  it  was  adjourned 
to  the  21st.  On  that  day,  Nathaniel  Merrill  presented 
an  account  of  three  shillings  for  warning  the  negroes  to 
leave  the  town,  and  another  of  twelve  shillings,  for  car- 
rying them  awaj. 

^►>^®©<^"' 

Daniel  Bradley  was  drowned  on  the  22d  of  January^ 

9th  March.  A  weekly  contribution  was  ordered  to 
be  collected  for  Mr.  Gardner,  "  if  he  desired  it." 

Mr.  Gardner  died  on  the  21st  March.  At  the  early 
age  of  thirteen,  he  made  a  profession  of  religion,  entered 
Cambridge  College  at  sixteen,  and  graduated  at  twenty^ 
In  his  twenty-first  year,  he  began  to  preach,  and  was  or- 
dained when  only  twenty-three.  He  was  a  man  of  ear- 
nest and  devoted  piety,  of  brilhant  talents,  and  his  early 
death  was  deeply  lamented.  Mr.  Barnard,  his  second 
successor,  in  a  sermon,  thus  speaks  of  him: — "  Mr. 
Gardner,  who  is  warm  in  the  hearts  of  a  few  of  you  to 
this  day,  Was  soon  ripe  for  heaven,  according  to  the  ac- 
count which  was  handed  down  of  him.  He  was  not 
suffered  to  remain  long  by  reason  of  death.  Neither 
prayers  nor  tears  could  detain  him  from  his  inheritance 
above.    In  a  few  years  he  finished  his  course  with  joy.'^ 

Mr.  Gardner  died  just  as  he  had  entered  upon  the 
stage  of  usefulness;  yet  he  left  an  unspotted  name,  and 
his  memory  was  cherished  as  sacred  by  his  people,  as 
though  he  had  lived  till  his  head  was  silvered  with  age. 
He  was  respected  and  loved  for  his  piety;  and  his  tal- 
ents, had  he  lived,  would  have  placed  him  in  the  fore- 
most rank  of  the  New-England  clergy.  The  following 
epitaph  is  taken  from  the  simple  monument  raised  to  his 
memory : 

'^  Rev.  Joshua  Gardner  died  March  21,  1715,  a  man 
good  betimes  and  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  faith,  of  an 
excellent  temper ,  of  great  integrity ,  prudence  and  couruge 

,2* 


138 

"'^pasior  of  the  church  in  Haverhill  Jive  years — who,  hav- 
ing faithfully  improved  his  talents,  fell  asleep  in  Jesus,  and 
went  triumphantly  to  recieve  his  reward  in  heaven.''^ 

After  his  death,  the  town  voted  to  pay  the  expenses 
of  his  funeral,  which  amounted  to  c£34.  9s.  6d. 

A  petition  was  presented,  signed  by  thirty  of  the  in- 
habitants, desiring  that  the  obstruction  in  Merrie's  creek, 
and  the  Fishing,  or  Little  River,  might  be  removed,  '^  so 
that  a  free  passage  for  the  fish  might  be  obtained."  The 
petition  was  granted. 

24th  Oct.  Two  hundred  pounds  were  ordered  to  be 
raised  to  pay  the  town-debts. 

Silver  was  this  year  valued  at  9s.  per  oz. 

171G. 

At  a  church- meeting,  called  on  the  27th  July,  to 
make  choice  of  a  minister  to  supply  the  place  of  the  late 
Mr.  Gardner,  twenty  votes  were  cast  for  Mr.  Jonathan 
Gushing,  and  fifteen  for  Mr.  Robert  Stanton.  At  a 
town-meeting,  holden  for  the  same  purpose,  on  the  same 
day,  one  hundred  and  two  votes  were  cast  for  the  for- 
mer, and  thirty-four  for  the  latter.  An  invitation  was 
accordingly  extended  to  Mr.  Gushing,  but  he  declined. 

Gonsiderable  diificulty  existed  among  the  inhabitants 
about  settling  another  minister.  The  church  was  nearly 
equally  divided,  and  the  shameful  animosities  which  are 
so  frequently  created  by  religious  controversies,  then 
existed,  and  exercised  an  undue  influence  over  the 
minds  of  the  people.  At  length,  their  difficulties  be- 
came so  great,  and  the  breach  becoming  wider  between 
the  two  parties,  it  was  resolved  to  choose  a  committee  to 
wait  upon  the  Rev.  Mr.  Leverett  and  Rev.  Mr.  Brattle, 
of  Gambridge,  to  ask  of  them  what  method  they  should 
adopt  to  assuage  their  difficulties,  and  procure  a  settled 
minister.  Accordingly  a  committee  of  six  was  chosen, 
three  from  each  party.  This,  however,  produced  no 
good  effect.  A  meeting  was  then  warned  on  the  22d  of 
January,  and  the   sixth   day   of  February  next  was  ap- 


139 


pointed  for  a  public  fast,  in  which  the  neighboring  min- 
isters were  requested  to  join,  as  was  then  the  general 
custom  The  advice  of  the  Reverend  gentlemen  was 
then  asked  and  given;  and  at  a  meeting  holden  on  the 
I'^th  of  February,  it  was  voted  to  accept  of  it,  and  by  a 
vote  only.  At  the  same  time,  a  Mr.  Fiske  preached  as 
a  candidate,  but  was  not  accepted.  It  was  then  voted 
to  sive  a  call  to  Mr.  Joseph  Pearson,  and  at  a  meetmg 
in  August,  all  the  votes  passed  on  the  subject  were 
revoked. 


The  difficulties  about  settling  a  new  minister,  still 
continued,  and  the  Rev.  Thomas  Symmes  Edward  Pay- 
son  and  Moses  Hale,*  were  consuUed,  who  rephed, 
that  they  thought  it  "  advisable  that  the  town,  laying 
aside  further  attempts  for  a  settlement  in  the  way  they 
have  been  in,  together  with  their  awful  animosities  in 
respect  thereof,  now  unite  in  looking  out  for  some  other 
person  to  come  amongst  them."  This  good  advice,  as 
it  was  called,  was  taken  by  a  vote  in  the  affirmative,  and 
that  was  all;  for  they  immediately  negatived  a  recom- 
mendation from  two  of  the  same  persons,  that  a  new 
committee  should  be  chosen  from  both  of  the  contendmg 
parties,  to  consult  the  President  of  Cambridge  College 
concerning  their  difficulties. 


1718. 

23d  April.  The  town  gave  an  invitation  to  Mr. 
Samuel  Checkley,  "  to  settle  among  them  in  the  work 
of  the  ministry;"  but  he  did  not  accept. 

Ann  Emerson,  the  widow  of  Robert  Emerson,  was 
drowned,  July  28. 

*  Rev.  Thomas  Symmes  was  of  Bradford,  Rev.  Edward  Payeon, 
of  Rowley,  and  Rev.  Moees  Hale,  of  Newbury. 


140 

The  ferry,  established  in  1711,  at  Holt's  Rocks,  and 
kept  by  John  Swett,  was  granted  l3y  the  General  Court 
to  Haverhill  and  Newbury  for  the  term  of  forty  years. 
In  answer  to  Mr.  Swett's  petition,  this  town  granted 
him  all  of  its  right  in  the  ferry,  if  he  Would  engage  to 
carry  the  inhabitants  over  the  river  "  for  a  penny  a  sin- 
gle person  and  four  pence  for  a  man  and  horse." 

The  bounty  for  wolves  was  continued;  and  the  Se- 
lectmen were  ordered  "  to  seat  both  men  and  women 
that  belong  to  our  meeting-house,  in  this  town,  accord- 
ing to  their  best  discretion." 

The  Colony  received  an  unexpected  accession  of 
Irishmen,  from  the  North  of  Ireland,  who  landed  at 
Boston  on  the  14th  of  October.  Soon  after  their  arrival, 
they  petitioned  the  Assembly  for  a  grant  of  land,  and 
obtained  liberty  to  make  a  settlement  of  six  miles 
square  in  any  of  the  unappropriated  lands  at  the  east- 
ward. After  a  tedious  search  along  the  sea-shore,  and 
not  being  able  to  find  a  place  that  suited  them,  sixteen 
families  hearing  of  a  tract  of  land  above  Haverhill,  call- 
ed Nutfield,  from  the  large  quantity  of  chestnut  and  wal- 
nut trees  growing  there,  and  being  informed  that  it  was 
unappropriated,  determined  to  take  up  their  grant  in 
that  place.  They  immediately  came  to  this  town,  and 
while  crossing  the  river,  just  before  they  had  reached 
the  shore,  the  boat  unluckily  capsized,  and  men,  women, 
and  children,  were  thrown  promiscuously  into  the  river. 
This  adventure  afforded  much  amusement  to  the  inhab- 
itants of  this  town,  at  the  expense  of  the  poor  Irishmen, 
whom  they  thoroughly  hated  and  were  not  at  all  delicate 
in  making  it  manifest.  It  soon  awakened  the  muse  of 
some  delighted  swain,  who  composed  a  song  about  the 
matter,  which  was  frequently  sung  for  the  edification  of 
his  attentive  auditors.  Of  this  song,  tradition  has  pre- 
served only  the  following  lines : — 

"Then  they  began  to  scream  and  bawl, 
And  if  the  devil  had  spread  his  net, 
He  would  have  made  a  glorious  hauL" 

In  the  following  spring,  1719,  on  the  11th  of  April,  the 
men  went  to  Nutfield,  leaving  their  families  in  this  town, 
and  erected  a  few  huts  near  a  brook,  which  they  called 
West-running-brook.     The    next   evening    after    their 


141 

arrival,  a  sermon  was  preached  to  them  under  a  large 
oak-tree.*  In  1722,  their  settlement  was  mcorporated^ 
by  the  name  of  Londonderry,  from  a  city  in  the  north  of 
Ireland,  in  which  many  of  them  suffered  the  hardships 
of  a  memorable  siege.t  The  use  of  potatoes  was  first 
introduced  by  the  Irish,  which  were  early  planted  m 
the  garden  of  Nathaniel  Walker,  of  Andover/^  They 
were  first  planted  in  this  town  by  William  White,  who 
raised  four  bushels;  but  he  knew  not  how  to  make  use 
of  so  large  a  quantity,  and  gave  many  of  them  to  his 

neighbors.  ,        .     -^  x- 

The  town  unanimously  voted  to  extend  an  invitation 
to  Mr.  John  Brown,  of  Little  Cambridge,  now  Brigh- 
ton, to  supply  the  vacant  pulpit.  He  complied  with 
their  request,  and  was  ordained  on  the  13th  otmay, 
1719.  He  preached  the  funeral  sermon  of  Rev.  Thomas 
Symmes  of  Bradford,  which  was  published. 

Mr  Brown  graduated  at  Cambridge,  in  1714  He 
married  Joanna  Cotton,  daughter  of  Rev.  Rowland  Cot- 
ton, of  Sandwich,  and  she  was  famed  as  an  "  eminently 
pious  and  worthy  Lady."  He  had  seven  children,  four 
sons  and  three  daughters.  The  sons  were  all  educated 
at  Cambridge.  John  graduated  in  1741,  and  was  or- 
dained in  Cohasset.     He  died  1792,  aged  69. 

Cotton  graduated  in  1743,  was  ordained  at  Brook- 
line,  on  26th  of  October,  1748,  and  died  13th  of  April 
1751.  Dr.  Cooper  notices  him  as  one  who  "  had  raised 
in  his  friends  the  fairest  hopes,  and  given  thein  just  rea- 
son to  expect  in  him  one  of  the  brightest  ornaments  ot 
society,  and  a  peculiar  blessing  to  the  church." 

Ward  graduated  in  1748,  and  died  the  same  year. 

Thomas  graduated  in  1752,  and  was  a  minister  at 
Stroudwater.     He  died  in  1797. 

His  eldest  daughter  was  married  to  John  Chipman, 

Esq.,  of  Marblehead;   his    second   to Dana,  of 

Brookline,   and  his  third  to  Rev.    Edward  Brooks,  of 
Medford,  formerly  minister  at  North  Yarmouth.J 

*  Farmer's  edition  of  Belknap's  History  of  N.  H.  , 

t  This  city  was  besieged  near  six  months,  in  1689,  by  King 
James's  army. 

i  Sketch  of  Haverhill. 


142 


1719. 


1st  March.     The  burial-ground  was  ordered  to  be 
suitably    fenced    with    boards,   and    a    convenient   gate 


erected  and  swunoj  on  hinoes. 


17S0. 

7th  March.  The  trees  on  the  Cow-common  were 
ordered  to  be  marked  with  the  letter  M  that  they  might 
be  preserved  for  the  "  creatures  in  the  summer  time;" 
and  a  fine  of  twenty  shillings  was  imposed  on  any  per- 
son who  should  fall  a  tree  that  was  thus  marked. 

Samuel  White  and  William  White,  erected  a  corn- 
mill  and  fulling-mill  on  Sawmill  River. 

This  year,  Capt.    Ebenezer    Eastm.an    and    several 
others  from  this  town,  explored  the  lands  in  the  vicinity 
of  Penacook,  now   Concord,  jVew-Hampshire,  and  no- 
ticmg  the  richness  of  the  intervals,  resolved  to  procure 
a  grant  of  it,  and  commence  a  settlement.     According- 
ly, in  the   following  year,  they   petitioned  the   General 
Court  of  this  Province  for   a  tract   of  land,  about  eight 
miles  square,  "  situated  on  the  river  Merrymake  at  the 
lower    end    of  Penacook."     Their    petition  was  twice 
allowed,   in   1721,   and   1722,  but  the  Governor   refus- 
ed   to    sanction   it.     In    1724,    a    Committee    was    ap- 
pointed  to   view  the   lands;    and   on  the  17th  January, 
1725,  "  The  Great  and  General  Court,"   granted  to  the 
petition   of  Benjamin  Stevens,    of  Andover,  Ebenezer 
Eastman,  of  this  town,  and  others,  a  tract  of  land,  about 
seven  miles  square,  which  was  appropriated  for  a  town- 
ship, by  the  name   of  "the  Plantation  of  Penacook." 
The   conditions  of  the  grant  were  extremely  rigid.     It 
was  required  that  the  lands  should  be  divided  into  one 
hundred    and    three    lots;    that    one    hundred    families, 
"  able  to  make  a  settlement"  should  be  admitted.    Each 
settler  was  to   pay  three   pounds  for   his  lot,  and   was 
obliged  to  build  a  good  house  for  his  family  within  three 
years — break  up   and  fence  in  six  acres  of  land,  and 


143 

completely  finish  a  convenient  house  for  the  public  wor- 
ship of  God  within  the  time  aforesaid.  They  were  also 
required  to  pay  20s.  each  for  the  privilege  of  admit- 
tance, to  defray  the  expense  of  laying  out  the  lots,  of 
cutting  a  road  from  Haverhill  to  the  Plantation, 
and  the  charges  of  the  Committee  of  the  Great  and 
General  Court.  Had  they  not  been  men  of  great  reso- 
lution, such  conditions  would  have  deterred  them  from 
attempting  the  settlement. 

On  the  same  day  that  the  petition  was  granted,  the 
Court  appointed  a  standing  committee  of  nine,  to  "bring 
forward"  the  intended  settlement,  and  "  take  special 
care"  that  the  conditions  were  complied  with.  This 
committee  met  in  this  town,  in  February,  1725,  for  the 
purpose  of  admitting  settlers;  yet,  they  did  not  presume 
to  rely  solely  on  their  own  judgments,  and  voted  that 
some  of  the  principal  inhabitants  of  the  towns,  to  which 
the  petitioners  belonged,  should  be  desired  to  wait  upon 
the  committee,  and  inform  them  of  the  circumstances  of 
the  petitioners.  The  first  day  they  "  admitted  several 
of  them,"  and  on  the  next,  they  completed  the  number, 
100  in  all.  The  remaining  three  rights  were  reserved 
— one  for  the  first  settled  minister,  one  for  the  parson- 
age, and  one  for  the  "use  of  the  school  forever." 

These  conditions  met  the  views  of  the  intended  set- 
tlers. On  the  7th  of  February,  they  held  a  meeting  in 
this  place,  and  resolved  that  they  would  "well  and  truly 
fulfil  the  conditions  of  the  Great  and  General  Court  for 
bringing  forward  the  settlement  at  Penacook — that  such 
and  so  many  of  the  intended  settlers,  as  shall  fail  of 
ploughing,  fencing  or  clearing  of  one  acre  of  land,  within 
twelve  months  from  the  first  day  of  June  next,  shall 
each  of  them  forfeit  and  pay  to  the  community  or  set- 
tlers, the  sum  of  five  pounds;"  and  if  any  failed  of  com- 
plying with  the  above  article  within  two  years,  and  of 
having  his  timber  for  his  house  within  six  months  "  after 
receiving  orders  to  do  it  from  the  committee" — to  forfeit 
and  pay  the  sum  often  pounds;  and  in  case  of  failure  to 
comply  with  the  orders  of  the  Court  for  bringing  for- 
ward the  settlement  within  two  years  and  a  half,  "  abso- 
lutely to  forfeit  the  lot  or  lots,  by  him  or  them  drawn, 
with  all  the  improvements  that  shall  be  made  thereon,  to 


144 

the  other  settlers."     And  finally,  to  exclude  all  persons 
from  the  plantation,  but  those  of  approved  character. 

In  1726,  a  Committee  was  appointed  by  the  Court 
to  lay  out  the  lands  at  Penacook.  They  belonged  prin- 
cipally to  this  town,  and  were  headed  by  John  Wain- 
wright,  who  kept  a  journal  of  their  proceedings,  from 
which  the  following  is  extracted: — 

12th  May.  The  Committee  left  the  town  and  pro- 
ceeded as  far  as  Amoskeag. 

13th.  "  This  morning  we  proceeded  on  our  journey 
— very  hilly  and  mountaneous  land.  About  8  o'clock, 
we  passed  a  fall  called  AnnahooMine,  [Hooksett]  in 
Merrimack  river  which  is  taken  from  a  hill  of  the  same 
name.  About  10  or  11  o'clock,  we  forded  Suncook 
river  which  is  a  rapid  stream  and  many  loose  stones  of 
considerable  bigness  in  it,  making  it  difficult  to  pass. 
About  1  o'clock  we  passed  Penacook  river,  [Soucook] 
pretty  deep  and  very  rocky.  In  a  short  time  after,  we 
came  up  as  far  as  Penacook  falls,  [Garven's]  and  steered 
our  course  north  over  a  large  pitch  pine  plain,  three 
miles  at  least  in  length,  and  about  5  o'clock  afternoon, 
arrived  at  Penacook,  and  encamped  on  a  piece  of  inter- 
val called  Sugar  Ball  plain,  from  a  very  large  hill  called 
Sugar  Ball  hill,  whereon  was  the  first  Indian  fort,  as  we 
were  informed,  which  the  Indians  in  old  times  built  to 
defend  themselves  against  the  Maquois,  [Mohawks]  and 
others  their  enemies.  This  Sugar  Ball  plain  is  a  pretty 
large  tract  of  land  encompassed  on  all  parts  with  very 
high  and  mountainous  land,  as  steep  as  the  roof  of  a 
house  ordinarily — only  where  the  river  runs  round  it, 
which  encompasses  the  other  parts  of  it.  It  is  altogether 
impractible  for  a  team  or  even  a  horse-cart  to  get  on  the 
plain,  the  land  is  so  mountainous  rouud  it;  and  there  is 
no  spring  on  it  as  we  could  find. 

14th.  About  12  o'clock  this  day,  jMessrs.  Nathan- 
iel Ware,  Richard  Waldron,  jun.,  and  Theodore  Atkin- 
son, a  committee  appointed  by  the  governor  and  council 
of  New-Hampshire,  came  up  to  our  camp,  (being  at- 
tended with  about  half  a  score  of  Irishmen,  who  kept  at 
some  distance  from  the  camp)  and  acquainted  us  that 
the  Goverment  of  New-Hampshire,  being  informed  of 
our  business  here,  had   sent  them  to  desire  us  that  we 


145 

would  not  proceed  in  appropriating  these  lands  to  any 
private  or  particular  persons,  for  that  they  lay  in  their 
goverment;  and  our  goverment's  making  a  grant  which 
might  be  atteikled  with  very  ill  consequences  to  the 
settlers,  when  it  appeared  that  the  lands  fell  in  the  N. 
H.  goverment.  And  they  delivered  a  copy  of  an  order 
passed  by  his  honor  the  Lieutenant  governor  and  coun- 
cil of  New  Hampshire,  respecting  the  settling  of  the 
lands  of  Penacook,  to  which  we  refer.  We  made  them 
answer,  that  the  goverment  of  Massachusetts  Bay  had 
sent  us  to  lay  out  the  lands  here  into  a  township;  and 
they  had  made  a  grant  of  it  to  some  particular  men,  and 
that  we  should  proceed  to  do  the  business  we  were  come 
upon;  and  made  no  doubt  but  our  goverment  would  be 
always  ready  to  support  and  justitie  their  own  grants; 
and  that  it  was  the  business  of  the  public,  and  not  ours, 
to  engage  in,  in  order  to  determine  any  controversy 
about  the  lands.  We  sent  our  salutes  to  tiie  Lieutenant 
governor  of  JVew  Hampshire,  and  the  gentlemen  took 
their  leaves  of  us,  and  set  homewards  this  afternoon. 

15th.  Sunday. — Mr.  Enoch  Coffin,*  our  chaplain, 
performed  divine  service  both  parts  of  the  day. 

16th.  At  sunrise  this  morning,  according  to  notifi- 
cation, we  chose  a  representative,  nem.  con.y  viz:  Mr. 
John  Sanders. 

18th.  It  may  be  observed,  that  divers  rattlesnakes 
were  killed  by  several  surveying  companies,  but,  thanks 
be  to  God,  nobody  received  any  hurt  from  them," 

This  year,  1726,  considerable  progress  was  made  in 
the  settlement,  and  a  road  was  cut  through  the  wilder- 
ness from  this  town  to  that.  In  the  fall  of  1727,  the 
first  family,  that  of  Capt,  Ebenezer  Eastman,  moved 
into  the  place.  His  team  was  drove  by  Jacob  Shute, 
who  was,  by  birth,  a  Frenchman;  and  he  is  said  to  have 
been  the  first  person  who  drove  a  team  through  the  wil- 
derness.    Soon  after,  says  tradition, Ayer,  a  lad 

of  18,  drove  a  team,  consisting  of  ten  yoke  of  oxen,  to 
Penacook,  swam  the  river,  and  ploughed  a  portion  of 

*  Mr.  Enoch  Coffin  was  a  native  of  Newbury,  and  grandson  of 
Tristram  Coffin,  who  signed  the  Indian  Deed. 


146 

the  interval.  lie  is  supposed  to  have  been  the  fust 
person  who  ploughed  land  in  that  place.  After  he  had 
completed  his  work,  he  started  on  his  return  at  sun-rise, 
drowned  a  yoke  of  oxen,  while  re-crossing  the  river,  and 
arrived  at  Haverhill  about  midnight.  The  crank  to  the 
first  grist-mill,  was  manufactured  in  this  place,  and  car- 
ried to  Penacook  on  a  horse. 

On  the  18th  November,  1730,  their  first  church  was 
organized,  and  Rev.  Timothy  Walker  was  ordained. 
Rev.  John  Brown,  of  this  town,  ''  gave  to  the  Pastor 
and  the  Church  the  Right  Hand  of  Fellowship." 

The  following  is  a  list  of  those  persons,  belonging  to 
this  town,  who  were  among  the  original  proprietors  of 
Penacook: — Ebenezer  Eastman,  JVathaniel  Clement, 
Edward  Clark,  Joseph  Davis,  Samuel  Davis,  Ephrahn 
Davis,  Stephen  Emevson,  Nehemiah  Heath,  Moses 
Hazzen,  Richard  Hazzen,  jun.,  Timothy  Johnson, 
I^obert  Peaslee,  Nathaniel  Peaslee,  Nathaniel  Page, 
William  White,  Nicholas  V^hite,  William  Whittier, 
Christopher  Carlton,  Samuel  Ayer,  and  John  Ayer. 
They  were  mostly  young  men. 

The  lite  of  Capt.  Ebenezer  Eastman  was  full  of  ad- 
ventures, and  perhaps  a  short  biography  of  him  will  not 
be  uninteresting  to  many  of  our  readers,  as  he  was  a 
native  of  this  town.  He  was  born  1689,  and  at  the 
early  age  of  18  joined  the  regiment  under  the  com- 
mand of  Col.  Wainwright,  in  the  expedition  against 
Port  Royal.  In  1711,  he  had  the  command  of  a  com- 
pany, and  went  with  the  fleet  designed  for  the  con- 
quest of  Canada,  under  the  command  of  Admiral  A\  alk- 
er.  While  sailing  up  the  St.  Lawrence,  the  weather 
beino-  focTgy  and  a  strong  wind  rising,  the  Admiral  asked 
the  pilot^vhat  it  was  best  to  do?  The  pilot  advised  him 
that  "  as  the  fleet  was  on  the  north  shore  it  would  be 
i)e3t  to  bring  to,  with  their  heads  to  the  southward." 
This  the  Admiral  obstinately  refused  to  do,  and  the  con- 
sequence was  the  total  failure  of  the  expedition,  the  loss 
of  nine  ships,  and  many  lives.  Eastman,  observmg  the 
imminent  danger  which  surrounded  them,  beseeched  the 
Captain  of  the  vessel  ''  to  haul  to  windward,  that  they 
mi^ht  escape  the  breakers.''     The  Captain  was  a  true 


141 

loyalist,  and  exclaimed,  that  "  he  would  follow  his  Com- 
modore if  he  went  to  h— 1."  Eastman,  finding  that  he 
could  gain  nothing  by  parleying  with  him,  stated  the 
circumstances  to  his  men,  and  told  them  that,  if  they 
would  suj)port  him,  he  would  assume  the  control  of  the 
vessel,  and  attempt  to  shun  the  rocks.  This  was  agreed 
to,  and  Eastman  ordered  the  Captain  to  his  cabin,  and 
the  helmsman  to  alter  his  course.  They  escaped  ship- 
wreck, and  the  next  morning,  the  self-willed  and  won- 
derfully loyal  Captain,  was  quite  humbled,  and  on  his 
knees  acknowledged  his  deliverer,  and  desired  his  friend- 
ship. In  the  morning,  Capt.  Eastman  appeared  before 
the  Admiral,  who  abruptly  asked—"  Capt.  Eastman, 
where  were  you  when  the  fleet  was  cast  awayr" — "  I 
was  following  my  Commodore,"  he  replied.  "  Follow- 
ing your  Commodore!" — exclaimed  the  Admiral  in  sur- 
prise— "you  d d  Yankees  are   a  pack  of  praying 

devils;  you  saved  your  own  lives  and  prayed  my  men 
all  to  h— 1."  Soon  after  his  return,  he  entered  with 
zeal  into  the  projected  settlement  of  Penacook,  and  was 
one  of  its  most  influential,  persevering  and  useful  citi- 
zens. In  1744,  he  marched  at  the  head  of  a  company, 
with  the  provincial  forces,  against  Louisburg. 

Concord  did  not  escape  the  depredations  of  the  In- 
dians; and  it  also  appears  to  us  that  the  deadly  enmity 
frequently  entertained  by  them  toward  particular  fami- 
lies, did  not  cease  at  the  death  of  the  parties;  but  was 
transmitted,  on  the  part  of  the  Indians,  without  any 
diminution  of  strength  and  bitterness,  from  generation 
to  generation. 

In  1746,  we  find  that  Jonathan  Bradley,  and  Samuel 
Bradley,  descendants  of  Joseph  Bradley  of  this  town, 
were  at  Concord.  On  Monday  morning,  on  the  11th  of 
August  of  the  same  year,  a  party  of  seven,  including 
the  two  Bradleys,  set  out  from  that  place  for  Hopkin- 
ton,  two  on  horses,  and  the  others  on  foot,  all  armed. 
"  They  marched  on  leisurely,  and  Obadiah  Peters,  hav- 
ing proceeded  some  distance  forward  of  the  others  into 
a  hollow,  about  a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  street,  sat 
down  his  gun  and  waited  the  approach  of  his  friends. 
The  Indians" — who  were  concealed  in  the   woods  with 


148 

the  design  to  intercept  a  party  of  men  whom  they  sup- 
posed would  pass  that  way  the  same  morning — "think- 
ing themselves  discovered,  rose  from  their  hiding  places, 
fired  and  killed  Peters  on  the  spot.  At  this  moment, 
Jonathan  Bradley  and  the  rest  of  his  party  had  gained 
the  summit  of  the  hill.  Bradley  was  deceived  in  the 
number  of  the  enemy,  supposing  the  few  he  saw  near 
Peters  to  compose  the  whole  party.  He  ordered  his 
men  to  fire,  and  they  rushed  down  among  them.  The 
whole  body  of  the  Indians  instantly  rose,  being  about 
100  in  number.  Bradley  now  urged  his  men  to  fly  for 
safety ;  but  it  was  too  late — the  work  of  destruction  had 
commenced.  Samuel  Bradley  was  shot  through  the 
body,  stripped  of  his  clothing  and  scalped.  To  Jona- 
than they  offered  'good  quarter,'  having  been  acquaint- 
ed with  him;  but  he  refused  their  protection,  his  heroic 
spirit  thirsting  to  revenge  the  death  of  his  comrades.  He 
fought  with  his  gun  against  the  cloud  of  enemies,  until 
they  struck  him  on  the  face  repeatedly  with  their  knives 
and  tomahawks,  and  literally  hewed  him  down.  They 
then  pierced  his  body,  and  took  ofi'his  scalp  and  clothes. 

"Jonathan  Bradley  was  an  officer  in  Capt.  Ladd's 
company,  from  Exeter,  and  stationed  here  [Concord] 
for  the  defence  of  the  inhabitants.  He  was  about  thirty 
years  of  age  "when  killed,  and  was  the  elder  brother  of 
Samuel  Bradley.  He  was  a  man  of  much  coolness  and 
decision;  and  his  vigorous  defence  against  the  over- 
whelming force  which  crushed  him  to  the  earth,  is  a 
sufficient  proof  of  his  determined  bravery. 

"  Samuel  Bradley  was  a  citizen  of  this  town  [Con- 
cord] and  the  father  of  the  Hon.  John  Bradley,  who 
died  in  1815.  He  was  a  most  amiable  and  prom- 
ising young  man;  and  his  wife,  who  afterwards  married 
Richard  Calfe  of  Chester,  and  survived  both,  in  the  lat- 
ter years  of  her  life,  used  to  speak  with  great  affection 
of  the  husband  of  her  youth,  and  of  his  tragical  end."* 

*  The  accounts  of  the  settlement  of  Concord,  of  Capt.  Ebenezer 
Eastman,  and  of  the  Bradley's,  were  taken  principally  from  ^Moore's 
"  Annals  of  Concord,"  and  Rev.  Nathaniel  Bouton's  two  discourses 
in  "  commemoration  of  the  organizing  of  the  first  Church  in  Con- 
cord." 


149 


17^1, 


It  was  voted  on  the  6th  of  March,  ''  that  there  sliali 
be  a  committee  chosen  to  prefer  a  petition  to  the  Gen- 
eral Court  for  redress,  in  behalf  of  the  damage  that  the 
town  sustained,  by  the  town-books  being  part  of  them 
cut  and  torn  out."  The  book  referred  to  is  certamly  m 
a  very  damaged  state,  and  tradition  says  that  it  was  so 
unfortunate  as  to  get  a  ducking  in  a  swill-tub. 

19th  March.  A  tract  of  land  beyond  Hogg-hiil,  was 
ordered  to  be  laid  out  "  to  those  men  who  have  been  out 
in  long  marches  in  the  time  of  the  war,"  and  to  such  other 
of  the  inhabitants  as  would  make  a  speedy  settlement 
upon  it.     The  land  was  laid  out  into  lots  of  fifty  acres 

A  company  of  about  one  hundred  persons,  fj-om 
Portsmouth,  Exeter,  and  Haverhill,  petitioned  the  Gen- 
eral Court  for  liberty  to  settle  in  the  northerly  part  of 
Nutfleld.  In  the  following  year,  four  townships  were 
granted,  Chester,  Nottingham,  Barrington,  and  Roches- 
ter,* and  a  few  families  removed  from  this  place  to 
Chester. 


10th  Aug.  The  Selectmen  wei-e  ordered  '^  to  build 
a  good  fort  round  Rev.  Mr.  Brown's  house  with  what 
speed  thev  could." 

The  town  seems  to  have  awakened  in  some  measure, 
from  its  apathy  respecting  schools.  Two  school-houses 
were  ordered  to  be  built,  one  in  the  west  part  of  the 
town,  and  the  other  in  the  north  part.  On  the  20th  No- 
vember, the  Selectmen  were  ordered  to  procure  a 
''  school-master  on  the  town's  cost,  who  was  to  keep  in 
the  east  part  of  the  town,  near  Widow  IMary  Whittier, 
or  the  next  house." 

*  Belknap's  Hist,  of  N.H. 

13* 


150 


1723. 

19th  March.  A  watch-house  was  ordered  to  be 
built. 

The  following  petition  was  read  before  the  town  on 
the  8th  of  April: — "Whereas  your  petitioners  having 
their  habitations  so  distant  from  the  meeting-house,  that, 
at  any  time  being  belated,  we  cannot  get  into  any  seat; 
but  are  obliged  to  sit  squeased  on  the  stairs  where  we 
cannot  hear  the  minister  and  so  get  little  good  by  his 
preaching,  though  we  endeavour  to  ever  so  much;  and 
there  being  a  vacant  place  betwixt  the  front  pew  and  the 
pew  on  the  side  gallery  over  the  head  of  the  stairs,  we 
humbly  request  liberty  to  erect  a  seat  over  the  same." 
The  petition  was  granted. 

Considerable  difficulty  existed  concerning  town  af- 
fairs. Five  meetings  were  held  in  succession,  and  not 
a  vote  was  passed.  The  marginal  reference  to  one  of 
them  says,  that  it  was  "  precious  time  spent  for  nought." 

1724. 

30th  July.  Capt.  John  White  was  chosen  to  attend 
the  General  Court,  and  oppose  the  petition  of  Stephen 
Barker  and  others,  for  a  township  above  Hawk's-mead- 
ow-Brook.  It  was,  however,  granted  the  following 
year,  and  incorporated  by  the  name  of  Methuen.  The 
boundary  marks  were  not  regularly  established  till 
the  16th  of  May,  1738,  when  the  Selectmen  of  both 
towns  met  and  established  them.  They  were  principally 
trees  and  heaps  of  stone.  The  trees  were  marked,  on 
the  north-east  side  with  the  letter  K,  and  on  the  oppo- 
site side  with  the  letter  jfff. 


1725. 

There  was  great  dissention  in   the  town  this  year, 
which  was  rather  derogatory  to  its  character,  and  was 


151 

memorable  on  account  of  the  interference  of  the  General 
Court.  It  arose  in  consequence  of  the  commoners  en- 
deavoring to  extend  their  jurisdiction  over  the  town. 
Two  parties  met  on  the  same  day  to  hold  town-meeting. 
One  is  represented  in  the  Town  Records,  as  a  "  small 
party,"  which  was  composed  principally  of  the  Com- 
moners. Two  sets  of  town-officers  were  chosen.  The 
Town  party,  so  called,  chose  a  Committee  to  prosecute 
the  "  faction  to  a  final  issue."  In  the  midst  of  the  diffi- 
culties, the  House  of  Representatives  passed  the  follow- 
ing resolve  in  substance: — 

"  Whereas  at  the  anniversary  of  the  town-meeting 
in  the  town  of  Haverhill,  in  March  last,  there  happened 
to  be  two  contending  parties  who  assembled  at  the  meet- 
ing-house, and  did  there  and  then  choose  two  sets  of 
town-officers,  whereby  great  difficulties  arose  in  the  said 
town,  and  considerable  expense  occasioned  in  the  law; 
and  it  is  feared  that  no  good  goverment  can  be  support- 
ed unless  some  speedy  care  be  taken  to  prevent  these 
disorders.  For  preventing  whereof,  and  to  put  an  end 
to  said  strife,  it  is  ordered  by  this  General  Court,  that 
Joshua  Swan  and  Nathaniel  Peasley,  Constables  for 
the  town  in  1724,  be,  and  are  hereby  required  to  warn 
the  freeholders  and  other  inhabitants  to  assemble  at  the 
meeting-house  in  Haverhill,  on  the  ninth  of  June,  at  ten 
o'clock,  A.  M.,  and  then  and  there  to  choose  all  the 
town-officers  which  the  law  requires  to  be  chosen  in  the 
month  of  March  annually;  and  that  Richard  Kent,  Esq.* 
be  desired  to  be  present  at  the  said  meeting;  and  he  is 
empowered  to  moderate  the  affairs,  and  no  other  person 
be  allowed  to  vote  but  such  as  are  lawfully  qualified;  and 
that  the  proceedings  of  both  parties  at  the  aforesaid 
meeting  of  March  2d  are  declared  null  and  void,  and  the 
charge  to  be  borne  as  this  Court  shall  order. 

Sent  up  for  concurrence. 

In  Council  4th  June,  1725, 

Wm.  DUDLEY,  Speaker. 
Read  and  concurred  in. 

J.  WiLLARD,  Secr'y. 

Consented  to,  Wm.  Dummer. 

*  Of  Newbury. 


152 


A  meeting  was  accordingly  held  on  the  ninth  of 
June,  and  Richard  Kent,  Esq.  presided.  The  opening 
of  the  meeting  was  followed  by  some  discussion  con- 
cerning the  town  aftairs,  but  no  vote  was  taken.  The 
meeting  was  adjourned  till  the  afternoon,  when  the  ]Mod- 
erator  ordered  the  votes  to  be  brought  in  for  a  town 
Clerk.  But  few,  however,  were  cast,  and  no  Clerk  was 
declared  to  be  chosen,  and  the  meeting  vras  dissolved. 
The  votes  cast  were  principally  for  John  Eaton.  Ano- 
ther order  from  the  General  Court,  dated  June  15,  di- 
rected that  IMr.  Eaton  should  be  sworn  as  the  Town 
Clerk,  and  that  the  inhabitants  should  assemble  on  the 
23d  of  the  same  month  and  choose  the  remainder  of  their 
officers.  They  met  according  to  the  order  and  suc- 
ceeded in  choosing  them. 

This  interference  of  the  Legislature  jvas  nothing 
less  than  an  exercise  of  despotic  power.  They  exceed- 
ed the  authority  with  which  they  were  clothed  by  the 
people;  and  should  such  a  case  happen  at  this  period, 
probably  those  concerned  would  not  rest  satisfied,  until 
the  Legislature  gave  sutficient  reasons  for  so  doing.  If 
such  dffficulties  in  a  town  are  to  be  settled  by  a  higher 
power,  it  appears  to  us  that  the  Legislative  body  is  not 
the  proper  umpire.  They  should  be  decided  in  all  cases 
by  the  Judicial  Courts— they  are  the  only  suitable  and 
lawful  arbitrators.  One  of  the  reasons  which  the  Gen- 
eral Court  gave  for  interposing  its  authority,  was— //lai 
considerable  expense  was  occasioned  in  the  law,  which 
amounts  to  the  same  as  an  acknowledgement  of  the  ju- 
risdiction of  the  Judiciary.  This  usurpation  of  power 
was  salutary  in  this  instance,  but  it  should  not  have 
been  willingly  allowed  of  by  the  people;  for  such  exam- 
ples have  a  tendency  to  undermine  the  bulwark  of  lib- 
erty, and  if  they  are  frequently  followed,  they  wdl  grad- 
ually prepare  the  people  for  the  reception  of  a  monar- 
chical, or  some  other  government  equally  repulsive. 

A  new  pound  was  ordered  to  be  built. 

12th  Dec.  Mary  Pearsons  was  warned  out  of  town, 
"  she^having  nothing  to  live  upon,"  says  the  Recorder. 
From  1724  to  1770,  thirty  persons  of  this  description 
were  ordered  out  of  town. 


153 


17^6. 


A  petition,  signed  by  ten  persons  living  in  the  east 
part  of  the  town,  was  read  in  town-meeting  on  the  2d 
March,  praying  that  they  might  have  liberty  to  assem- 
ble for  worship  at  the  Amesbury  meeting-house.  The 
petition  was  granted. 


17S7. 

Many  families  lived  at  so  great  a  distance  from  the 
meeting-house,  that  they  found  it  inconvenient  to  attend 
public  worship  in  the  winter.  At  the  request  of  the 
inhabitants  in  the  northern  and  western  part  of  the  town, 
they  were  permitted  to  hold  meetings  for  worship  in 
each  of  those  places,  during  the  winter  of  this  year. 

17^8. 

It  was  voted  in  town-meeting,  on  the  18th  of  June, 
that  the  northerly  part  of  the  town  should  be  set  off  into 
a  distinct  Precinct,  or  Parish.  The  conditions  annexed, 
were,  that  the  inhabitants  should  determine  within  one 
month  where  their  meeting-house  should  be  erected,  and 
settle  an  orthodox  minister  as  soon  as  possible.  Their 
meeting-house  was  built  and  partly  finished  this  year. 
This  parish  then  included  a  part  of  Hampstead,  Plais- 
tow,  and  Atkinson. 

At  the  same  meeting,  it  was  thought  that  two  taverns 
were  "  sufficient  for  the  town's  benefit;"  and  Lieut.  Eb- 
enezer  Eastman  and  John  Swett  were  appointed  to  keep 
them.* 

Dr.  Joshua  Bailey,  it  is  believed,  was  the  only  Phy- 
sician in  the  town  at  this  time. 

Silver  was  valued  at  20s.  per  oz. 

*  Lieut.  E.  Eastman  kept  near  the  house  now  owned  by  Mr,  Jon- 
athan Rovvell.     John  Swett  kept  at  Holt's  Rocks. 


154 


t7f^9. 


The  House  of  Representatives  called  upon  the  town 
to  assist  in  defraying  the  expenses  of  their  agents  to 
Great  Britain,  "  to  defend  their  inestimable  rights."  At 
a  meeting  called  for  that  purpose,  the  town  voted  to 
raise  fifty  pounds,  to  be  delivered  to  Col.  Richard  Sal- 
tonstall,  the  representative,  and  by  him  to  the  Commit- 
tee of  the  General  Court.  This  was  surely  a  large  sum 
when  it  is  considered  that  it  was  a  voluntary  thing. 

On  the  26th  October,  twenty-nine  members  of  the 
first  church,  residents  in  Mcthuen,  now  Salem,  N.  H., 
had  permission  granted  them  to  embody  themselves  into 
a  church  in  that  place. 


The  North  Parish  gave  IMr.  Hayncs  an  invitation  to 
settle,  but  he  did  not  accept.  Soon  after  they  extended 
an  invitation  to  INIr.  James  Cushing,  who  accepted,  and 
was  ordained  in  October.  On  the  1st  of  November, 
forty-six  persons,  members  of  the  first  church,  requested 
a  dismission,  "  ibr  the  purpose  of  uniting  in  a  church 
state  in  the  North  Precinct,"  which  ^vas  granted. 

Newbury  granted  to  John  Swett  their  interest  in  the 
ferry  at  Holt's" Rocks,  for  £3  per  year. 

About  this  time  an  affair  happened  which  was  rather 
derogatory  to  the  characters  of  those  concerned.  The 
Commoners  had  fenced  a  certain  part  of  the  ox-com- 
mon with  split  rails.  This  was  very  much  disliked  by 
the  non-commoners  living  in  the  north  part  of  the  town, 
and  they  determined  to  be  revenged.  They  soon  con- 
certed a  plot,  and  a  small  party  assembled  near  flaggy 
meadow,  on  the  night  appointed  to  execute  it,  carried 


155 

the  rails  into  large  piles,  and  set  them  on  fire.  The 
loss  of  the  rails  was  but  trifling  when  compared  with  the 
other  damage  done  by  the  fire.  The  earth  was  dry,  and 
it  run  through  the  woods,  and  continued  to  burn  for 
many  days. 


A  new  bridge  was  ordered  to  be  built  over  Little 
River,  near  the  present  site  of  Hale's  Factory. 

,  The  Selectmen  of  this  town  were  prosecuted  by  the 
Selectmen  of  Amesbury,  "  for  not  perambulating  the 
line"  between  that  town  and  this. 

The  winter  of  this  year  was  the  coldest  ever  known 
in  New-England.  Scarcely  a  well  afforded  a  supply  of 
water. 

An  earthquake  was  felt  on  the  12th  of  March. 


1734. 

Early  in  the  spring,  a  few  caterpillars,  a  very  large 
and  uncommon  species,  were  seen  in  the  woods,  cling- 
ing to  the  red  and  black  oak,  just  as  they  began  to  bud. 
Their  number  was  so  small  that  they  did  not  create  any 
alarm.  In  the  succeeding  year,  they  again  made  their 
appearance,  but  with  a  numerous  levy  of  a  hundred  to 
one,  and  commenced  depredations  on  the  trees.  In 
1736,  they  again  appeared,  but  with  such  an  astonish- 
ing increase  that  they  seemed  to  equal  in  number  the 
locusts  of  Egypt.  Wherever  they  v/ent,  they  devoured 
every  green  thing.  Nearly  all  the  woods  in  this  town, 
Chester,  a  part  of  Methuen,  Bradford  and  Andover, 
were  covered  with  them.  The  leaves  and  tender  twigs 
of  one  year's  grov/th  were  entirely  destroyed;  and  in 
some  places  they  ate.  large  limbs.  Many  trees  died, 
and  if  Providence,  says  our  journalist,  had  continued 
them  to  the  fourth  year,  not  a  tree  would  have  been 
left.     They  were  so   destructive  that  a  traveller  might 


156 

journey  onward  for  miles,  without  being  cheered  with 
the  sight  of  a  green  leaf  in  all  the  forests  which  he  pass- 
ed. In  mid-summer  they  were  as  naked  and  cheerless 
as  in  mid-winter.  The  caterpillars  relished  the  leaves  of 
the  red  and  black  oak  best,  but  when  they  had  devoured 
those,  they  destroyed  every  thing  before  and  around 
them;  and,  proceeds  our  journalist,  ''  they  would  travel 
from  tree  to  tree — no  river  nor  pond  would  stop  them, 
for  they  would  swim  like  dogs  and  travel  in  great  ar- 
mies; and  I  have  seen  houses  so  covered  with  them, 
that  little  or  no  part  of  the  building  could  be  seen." 
They  did  not  build  nests  on  the  trees,  like  the  common 
caterpillar,  were  considerably  larger,  though  they  resem- 
bled them  in  shape  and  color.* 

The  North  Parish  burying-ground  was  laid  out. 

The  west  part  of  the  town  was  set  off  into  a  distinct 
parish,  and  was  called  West  Parish.  The  inhabitants 
went  immediately  to  work  and  completed  a  meeting 
house  sometime  in  the  fall. 

Mr.  Samuel  Bachellor  was  ordained  in  the  West 
Parish  in  July.  Seventy-seven  persons  requested  a  dis- 
mission from  the  parent  church,  to  embody  themselves 
in  the  West  Parish,  which  was  granted. 

The  town  granted  to  John  Swett  their  interest  in  the 
Rock's  ferry,  for  13s.  6d. 

1736. 

The  throat  distemper,  as  it  was  called,  made  dread- 
ful ravages  throughout  the  town.  Its  victims  were  prin- 
cipally children,  and  it  is  supposed  to  have  swept  into 
the  grave  nearly  one-fourth  of  the  population  under 
fifteen  years  of  age.    Almost  every  house  was  turned  into 

*  This  account  u  taken  from  the  journal  which  was  left  by  Hon. 
Bailey  Bartlett. 


157 

a  habitation  of  mourning,  and  almost  every  day  had  its> 
funeral  procession.  Many  arose  in  the  morning,  their 
cheeks  glowing  with  perfect  health,  and  when  the  sun 
went  down,  they  were  cold  and  silent  in  the  winding 
sheet  of  the  dead.  Some  parents  lost  all  of  their  chil- 
dren. 58  families  lost  1  each;  34  families  lost  2  each; 
11  families  lost  3  each;  5  families  lost  4  each,  and  4 
families  lost  5  each.  Only  one  person  died  with  this 
disease  who  was  over  forty  years  of  age. 

This  fatal  distemper  was  attended  with  a  sore  throat, 
white  or  ash-colored  specks,  an  efflorescence  on  the 
skin,  great  debility  of  the  whole  system,  and  a  strong 
tendency  to  putridity.  It  first  appeared  in  Kingston,  IN. 
H.,  in  1735;  and  in  14  months,  113  persons  died.* 


1737. 

This  town  and  Salisbury  were  deeply  interested  in 
the  controversy  which  existed  between  the  provinces  of 
Massachusetts  and  New-Hampshire,  concerning  the 
boundary  line;  and  which  was  this  year  settled,  by  com- 
missioners appointed  by  the  crown.  The  second  char- 
ter granted  to  this  province,  reads  thus: — "extending 
from  the  great  river,  commonly  called  Monomack,  alias 
IMerrimack,  on  the  north  and  from  three  miles  north- 
ward of  the  said  river,  to  the  Atlantic  or  Western  sea  or 
ocean."  But  when  Haverhill  and  Salisbury  w'ere  first 
granted  by  Massachusetts,  they  "  were  made  to  extend 
more  than  three  miles  north  from  the  river;"  and  that 
part  beyond  the  three  miles  remained  under  the  juris- 
diction of  Massachusetts.^  Of  this,  New-Hampshire 
complained,  and  wished  to  have  the  division  line  placed 
three  miles  north  of  the  river.  If  this  was  done,  it  would 
divide  Haverhill  nearly  in  the  centre,  and  make  it  only 
three  miles  in  breadth,  instead  of  six.  On  the  17th  of 
May,  the   town    appointed    a  committee,  consisting    of 

*  Rev.  John  Brown,  minister  of  the  First  Parish,  published  a  par- 
ticular  account  of  this  distemper,  in  a  kirge  pamphlet, 
t  Hutchinson. 

14 


us 

Col.   Richard   Saltonstall,  Mr.  Richard   Hazzen,    m\4 
Deacon  James  Ayer,  to  wait  upon  the  Commissioners-. 

This  dispute  created  great  interest  in  both  provinces, 
Tlie  Assembly  of  New-Hampshire  met  on  the  4th  of 
August,  and  the  Secretary,  by  the  Governor's  order, 
prorogued  it  to  the  tenth,  then  to  meet  at  Hampton 
Falls.  The  Assembly  of  Massachusetts  met  at  Boston 
on  the  same  day,  and  also  adjourned  ta  the  tenth,  then 
tu  meet  at  Salisbury; — thus  the  two  Assemblies  met 
within  5  miles  of  each  other.  On  the  tenth  a  large  cav- 
alcade was  formed  at  Boston,  and  the  Governor  rode  in 
state,  escorted  by  a  troop  of  horse.  He  was  met  at 
jVewbury  ferry  by  another  troop,  and  at  the  supposed 
divisional  line  by  three  more,  who  conducted  him  in  all 
the  pomp  of  power  to  the  George  tavern,  at  Hampton 
Fails,  where  he  held  a  council  and  made  a  speech  to 
the  Assembly  of  New-Hampshire.  The  Governor's 
cavalcade  produced  the  following  pasquinade: 

Dear  paddy,  yon  never  did  behold  such  a  sight, 

As  yesterday  morning  was  seen  before  night. 

You  in  all  your  born  days  saw,  nor  I  did'nt  neither,- 

k*o  many  fine  horses  and  men  ride  together. 

At  the  head,  the  lower  horse  trotted  two  in  a  row. 

Then  all  the  higher  house  pranced  after  the  low, 

Then  the  Governor's  coach  galloped  on  like  the  wind. 

And  the  last  that  came  foremost  were  troopers  behind; 

But  I  fear  it  means  no  good  to  your  neck,  nor  mine, 

For  they  say  'tis  to  fix  a  right  place  for  the  line.* 

The  divisional  line  was,  at  length,  established  three 
miles  north  of  Merrimack  River. 

An  alms-house  was  built  by  the  town,  but  the  inhab- 
itants were  dissatisfied  with  the  experiment,  and  it  was 
ftC'ld  in  1746.     The  poor  were  supported  in  families. 


1738, 

About  this  time  a  ferry  was  established  on  the  Mer- 
rimack, about  a  mile  and  a  half  below  the  present  chain 
feiiy.     It  was  soon   after  removed  a  mile  up  the  river, 

*  Bolkaap'e  Hist,  of  N.  II. 


?39 

to  the  house  of  Joseph  Miilliken,  who  Hved  on  the  Bra<d- 
ford  shore. 

James  M'Haid,  had  hberty  to  build  a  rum-distil- 
lery. This  was  the  first  estabUshment  of  the  kind  in 
town;  it  stood  on  the  stream,  near  the  house  now  owned 
by  Mr.  WilKam  White. 

The  rid  burial-ground  in  West  Parish,  was  laid  out. 


Silver  was  extremely  scarce,  and  was  valued  at  20s. 
^jer  oz. 

Square-toed  shoes  went  out  of  fashion,  and  the  gen- 
try l)cgan  to  wear  silver  knee-buckles. 

About  this  time,  the  sycamore-trees,  now  standing 
before  Wid.  Samuel  W.  Duncan's  mansion,  were  set  out. 
The  work  was  done  by  one  Hugh  Talent,  a  wanderer 
from  the  green  fields  of  Erin,  and  who  was  a  famous 
fiddler.  He  lived  with  Col.  Richard  Saltonstall,  in  the 
capacity  of  a  servant;  and  tradition  says  that  he  fre- 
qnently  made  harmonious  sounds  with  his  cat-gut  and 
rosin  for  the  gratification  of  the  village  swains  and 
lice-see. 


Rev.  John  Brown,  minister  of  the  First  Parish,  died 
on  the  2d  of  December.  After  his  death,  the  parish 
vvjted  to  raise  £100,  old  tenor,  to  defray  the  expenses  of 
his  funeral,  which  was  to  be  delivei"«d  to  "JVIadam 
Brown,  to  be  used  «at  her  discretion." 


1743. 

Tlie  house  of  Dr.  H.  Brown,  at  Holt's  Rocks,  was 
•destroyed  by  fire  on  the  22d  of  January,  and  his  daugh- 


160 

tcr,  aged  23  years,  and  a  young  man  who  was  then 
living %vith  him,  a  son  of  D.  Currier,  were  burnt  to 
death.  Their  remains  were  interred  in  a  field,  ^now 
overgrown  with  trees,  owned  by  John  Johnson,  Esq., 
and  grave-stones  were  erected  to  their  memory.  But 
they  are  thrown  down  and  so  broken  and  defaced, 
that  the  letters  are  nearly  illegible.  With  the  as- 
sistance of  Mr.  Johnson,  we  found  them,  lymg  flat 
on  the  ground,  and  nearly  concealed  from  view. 
It  is  in  a  very  romantic  situation,  on  the  side  of  a  hill 
covered  with  young  sycamores,  and  which  slopes  gent- 
ly until  it  reaches  the  Merrimack.  This  gentleman 
also  informed  us  that  other  persons,  principally  infants, 
were  buried  in  the  same  place ;  but  no  monuments  were 
erected  to  their  memory,  and  the  mounds  have  totally 
disappeared. 

The  little  village  at  the  Rocks,  increased  very  slow- 
ly Vie  were  informed  by  Mr.  Phineas  Nichols,  a  ven- 
erable gentleman,  94  years  of  age,  that  there  were  but 
four  houses  in  1750,  and  that  he  could  distinctly  remem- 
ber them  They  were  owned  and  occupied  by  Dr. 
Brown,  Jolin  Swett,  Joseph  BurriU,  and  :Mr.  Nichok^ 
father.     Dr.    Brown  moved  to   Fryeburg,  Maine,  soon 

Mr.  Edward  Barnard  was  ordained  over  the  First 
Parish,  the  27th  of  April. 


1744, 


The  boundary  line  of  the  East  Parish  was  run  last 
year  and  their  meeting-house  was  completed  this  fall. 
On  the  19th  of  November,  17  persons  requested  dismis- 
sion from  the  parent  church,  to  embody  themselves  in  a 
church  at  this  place;  and  in  the  same  month,  Mr  Ben- 
iamin  Parker  was  ordained.  His  salary  was  ;£  100  per 
■year;  seventy  in  ''  provision  pay,"  and  thirty  m  money; 
but  it  was  soon  after  cut  down  to  £oS.  6s.  8d.=^ 


*  East  Parish  Records. 


mn. 


1745. 

A  '^  grammar-school"  was  commenced  in  the  Fir^ 
Parish. 

Thomas  Cottle  petitioned  the  town  to  grant  him  a 
ferry  on  the  Merrimack.  Mr.  Cottle  says  "  the  ferry 
may  be  sarviceable  to  the  town  and  other  travailers.'* 
His  petition  was  granted,  and  he  was  to  ferry  the  people 
of  Haverhill  one-fourth  cheaper  than  strangers.  The 
place  is  now  known  as  "  Cottle's  ferry," 

1746. 

On  the  21st  and  22d  of  August,  there  was  a  heavy 
frost. 

The  First  Parish  frequently  collected  the  minister 
tax  in  the  following  manner: — A  contribution,  as  it  was 
called,  was  taken  every  sabbath  afternoon,  when  any 
person  who  wished  to  pay  his  tax  in  this  manner,  had 
liberty  to  pay  such  a  sum  as  he  pleased.  Each  person 
was  ordered  to  fold  his  money  in  a  paper,  and  write  his 
name  and  the  amount  within,  A  person  was  yearly  ap- 
pointed to  receive  these  monies,  and  pass  the  amount  to 
the  credit  of  the  name  within  written.  If  no  name  was 
written  within  the  paper,  it  was  considered  as  a  free  ^ift 
to  the  minister,  and  was  disposed  of  as  such. 


1748. 

Col.  Richard  vSaltonstall,  and  others,  remonstrated 
in  the  General  Court  against  the  proceedings  of  the 
March  meeting,  principally  because  some  of  the  inhab- 
itants voted  who  were  not  duly  qualified.  The  General 
Court  took  it  in  hand  and  passed  a  resolve,  dated  3d 
November,  1748,  *4hat  the  meeting  be  set  aside  and  all 
the  proceedings  consequent  thereon  be  null  and  void," 
and  directed  the  Selectmen  for  174T  to  issue  a  warrant 


162 

for  another  meeting,  to  be  held  sometime  in  JVovember, 
and  that  John  Choate,  Esq.*  be  appointed  Moderator, 
Accordingly  a  meeting  was  holden  on  the  22d  Novem- 
ber, when  Mr.  Choate  presided,  and  the  town  officers 
were  again  chosen. 

6th  June.  The  First  Parish  voted  to  raise  £65.  Is. 
6d.  old  tenor  to  purchase  a  bell.  This  was  the  first  bell 
in  town.  Nathaniel  Knowlton  was  chosen  bellman,  and 
was  ordered  to  ring  it  at  1  o'clock,  at  9  in  the  evening, 
and  on  the  sabbath  and  lecture  days.  It  was  first  hung 
on  two  pieces  of  timber  placed  crosswise  at  the  top,  on 
Main-street,  near  the  parsonage  house.  Soon  at\er  a 
belfiy  v/as  built  on  the  ridge  of  the  meeting-house, 
where  it  v\'as  hung,  and  the  rope  descended  to  the  broad 
aisle. 


17ol. 

30th  May.  Fifteen  persons  requested  dismission 
from  the  parent  church,  that  they  might  be  incorporated 
in  a  church  then  forming  in  Ilampstead,  N.  H. 

The  inhabitants  were  considerably  alarmed  by  the 
appearance  of  the  small-pox  in  the  neighboring  towns, 
and  John  Cogswell  and  Samuel  White  were  appointed 
to  assist  the  Selectmen  to  use  every  method  to  prevent 
its  entrance  into  the  town,  A  set  of  Constables  were 
chosen  to  serve  such  warrants  as  should  be  issued  for 
that  purpose. 

13th  April.  Nathaniel  Peaslee,  Esq.,  was  chosen 
to  appear  at  Salem  Court,  to  answer  to  two  present- 
ments against  the  town,  for  not  being  provided 
with  a  "  grammar-school  master,"  and  for  not  keeping 
^'  Hawk's  river  bridge  in  repair.'*      , 

'■•  Mr.  Choate  was  of  Ipswich,  and  a  member  of  ihe  General 
Court. 


163 


17SS. 


The  First  Parish  voted,  26th  March,  "that  Benja- 
min Harrod  should  take  down  the  old  bell  and  dispose 
of  it  to  the  best  advantage,  and  provide  a  new  one  not 
exceeding  500  lbs.,  or  thereabouts." 


1750. 

A  few  persons  died  with  the  small-pox,  in  this  and  the 
following  year,  among  whom  was  the  father  and  mother 
of  Edmund  Black.  In  1758,  he  petitioned  the  town  to 
pay  the  charges  of  the  Doctor  and  nurse.  Mr.  Black 
was  a  poor,  but  industrious  man,  and  the  town  voted  to 
cancel  the  charges  caused  by  the  sickness  of  his 
parents. 

Serious  difficulties  commenced  in  the  West  Parish. 
Though  many  were  dissatisfied  at  the  settlement  of  Mr. 
Bachellor,  still  no  great  disturbance  was  created  till 
this  year,  when  his  enemies,  led  by  Joseph  Haynes,  a 
shrewd  and  fearless  man,  seized  upon  certain  sentiments 
uttered  in  the  pulpit,  from  the  text,  '^  It  is  finished." 
These  sentiments  they  denounced  as  downright  heresy, 
and  made  them  the  ground-work  of  a  sharply  contested 
controversy,  which  raged  with  unabated  violence  for  a 
number  of  years,  and  finally  ended  in  the  removal  of 
Mr.  Bachellor,  9th  October,  17G1,  upon  terms  that  day 
recommended  by  a  Council.  The  subject  was  consid- 
ered by  the  Haverhill  Association,  and  two  Councils 
called  for  that  purpose,  who  upheld  Mr.  Bachellor,  and 
published  several  pamphlets  defending  his  conduct 
from  the  aspersions  of  his  enemies.  These  drew  from 
Joseph  Haynes,  a  large  pamphlet,  called  ''A  Discourse 
in  order  to  confute  the  Heresy,  delivered,  and  much 
contended  for,  in  the  West-Parish,  in  Haverhill,  and 
countenanced  by  many  of  the  ministers  of  the  neighbor- 
ing parishes,  viz:  That  the  blood  and  water  which  came 
from  Christ  when  the  soldier  pierced  his  side,  his  laying 
in  his  grave,  and  his  resurrection,  was  no  part  of  the 


-    1^4 

%vork  of  redemption,  and  that  his  laying  in  the  grave 
was  no  part  of  his  humihation.''  It  was  printed  in  1757. 
This  drew  a  pamphlet  in  the  following  year,  from  the 
Assodation  and  Councils,  vindicating  the  measures  they 
had  taken,  to  which  Mr.  Haynes  soon  after  replied,  A 
Council  of  nine  churches  convened  by  adjournment  on 
the  19th  September,  1758,  when  twenty  charges  against 
Mr,  Bachellor  were  laid  before  it,  condemning  his  con- 
duct and  doctrines.  The  Council  sat  four  days,  and 
decided  that  they  were  not  sufficiently  supported.  Col. 
John  Choate  of  Ipswich,  one  of  their  members,  differed 
from  this  decision  and  published  his  "  reasons  of  dis- 
sent." The  same  Council  again  met  in  the  following 
year,  when  Mr.  Haynes  gave  them  some  "  friendly  re- 
marks," which  were  afterwards  published;  but  this  sec- 
ond examination  of  the  charges  only  confirmed  them  in 
their  former  decision. 

These  tw^o  parties  were  as  bitter  and  violent  towards 
each  other  as  they  could  well  be.  Both  were  in  the 
wrong. 

Soon  after  the  struggle  commenced,  his  enemies 
gained  the  ascendancy,  and  betw^een  April  1760,  and 
July  1761,  they  held  eight  parish  meetings,  and  voted, 
at  various  times,  "to  take  the  parsonage  from  Mr.  B. 
and  let  it  to  the  best  advantage — to  request  him  to  ask 
a  dismission — that  the  meeting-house  should  not  be  open- 
ed to  him  and  his  friends — to  choose  a  person  to  keep 
the  key — to  put  themselves  under  the  Boston  Presbytery 
— and  to  choose  a  Committee  to  prosecute  any  person 
who  should  be  found  preaching  in  the  meeting-house 
without  leave  from  the  Parish  Committee."  These 
proceedings  were,  however,  protested  against  by  a  large 
portion  of  the  parishioners,  whose  names  were  recorded 
in  the  Parish  Records.  The  Parish  has  been  agitated 
by  religious  controversies  most  of  the  time  since. 


1756. 

9th  March.     The  town  voted  that  the  soldiers  who 
went  in  the  first  expedition  to  Lake  George,  and  were 


165 

in  the  battle  of  1755,  ''should  be  abated  of  their  polls." 
Some  of  them  had  not  returned  in  1760,  when  a  similar 
vote  was  passed  in  favor  of  those  who  were  absent. 

1757. 

About  this  time,  says  tradition,  a  party  of  gentlemen 
arrived  from  Boston  and  put  up  at  Lieut.  Ebenezer 
Eastman's  tavern.  They  brought  their  coffee  with 
them,  and  requested  the  landlady  to  cook  it.  The  good 
lady,  not  being  particularly  acquainted  with  the  article, 
nor  the  manner  of  cooking  it,  hardly  knew  what  to  do 
But  having  a  little  self-confidence  with  her  other  good 
qualities,  she  scorned  to  ask  advice,  and  proceeded  to 
cook  it  in  her  best  manner.  Accordingly  she  took  hcr 
bean-pot,  put  the  coffee  into  it,  filled  it  with  water,  and 
boiled  it  as  she  would  beans.  At  length,  the  refresh- 
ment was  ready,  and  when  the  gentlemen  sat  down,  they 
were  not  a  little  surprised  to  see  their  coffee  set  before 
them,  well  boiled,  in  the  kernel.  They,  however,  took 
it  very  good-naturedly,  and  afterwards  instructed  her  in 
the  mystery  of  cooking  coffee.  This  tavern  was  torn 
down  in  1775. 

There  is  a  similar  tradition  concerning  the  lirst  use 
of  tea  in  this  town.  A  Mr.  Gile  had  a  present  sent  to 
him,  from  Boston,  of  one  pound  of  tea.  His  good  wife 
knev/  not  exactly  how  to  make  it,  but  she  concluded  to 
hang  on  her  dinner-pot,  and  cook  it  in  that.  The  dm- 
ner-pot  was  hung  over  the  fire,  partly  filled  with  water, 
and  the  whole  pound  was  put  into  it.  But  to  make  it 
more  luscious,  the  good  lady  put  in  a  large  piece  of 
beef,  for  she  intended  to  have  a  real  dish  of  tea;— we 
presume  that  she  had  heard  of  the  old  proverb,  "the 
more  good  things  the  better."  After  it  had  boiled  suf- 
ficiently, the  pot  was  taken  off,  ''  but  the  liquor  was  so 
despot  strong,"  said  our  informant,  that  they  could^  not 
drink  it,  and  besides  it  had  made  a  complete  jelly  ot  the 
meat.  For  the  correctness  of  these  two  traditions,  WQ 
will  not  undertake  to  vouch. 


me 


Stephen  Cross  was  chosen  -  to  take  care  of  the  boys 
jml  the  young  on  the  sabbaths,  that  they  profane  no 
'he  day  between  meetings."  /  i  '^  "oi 


}VcJ^L  """"^  .f"'^  "^'^^  '^'^^'^^^  ^^'^^-^  erected  by  Samuel 

n  oodman.     It  was  among   fne  first  in  the  country    and 
^ontmued  m  successful  operation  for  some  years!^ ' 


1^63:, 


thelwn    r^   .  ^^^*""^P^»*   ^g^^^  gen^raHy  prevailed  in 

n  1736   '.ndV\7'  "^'^  '"  ^^^'^  ^'  '^'^'  ''^^^^^^  P^-evailed 

"  n  ilde;  TJ  'T  P"'"^""  ^^"^-      The  disorder  was  of 

<i  milder  nature,  or  better  understood  by  the  physician.s. 


1764. 


Rey    James   Cushmg,  pastor  of  the   church  in  tlie 
-^or  h  Parish    died  on  tl^.o    13th   of  May.     During  his 

f  ^-T.^^.  '^'^  '''^^""^  affections  of  his  people,  and 
they  testihed  that  -  he  was  a  solid  and  fervent  preacher, 
in  conduct   upright,   prudent   and   steady,    and    recom- 
iiiended  the  amiable  religion  of  his  master  by  meekness 
and  patience,  condescension  and  candor,  a  tender  sym- 
pathy with  his  flock,  and  a  studious  endeavour  to  main- 
tain and  promote  the  things  of  peace." 
^     The  Selectmen  were  ordered  to  build  a  pest-house 
in  case  the  small  pox  should  again  appear  " 
21st  Nov.     The  First  Parish  voted   that,  '^  the  ver- 
sion of  Psalnis,  Tate   and  Brady,  with  the   largest  im- 
pression of  Dr.  Watts  Hymns,  be  sung  in  public." 


3  $7 


1765. 

Rev.  Gyles  Merrill  was  ordained  in  the  North  Par- 
ish, on  the  6th  of  March. 

The  First  Baptist  Church  was  gathered,  and  a  meet- 
ing-house was  immediately  erected  for  its  convenience. 

This  year  the  Parliament  of  England  passed  an  act, 
called  the  "  Stamp  Act,"  which  required  the  people  of 
the  American  Colonies,  in  all  their  legal  and  mercantile 
transactions,  to  use  papers  stamped  with  the  Royal  Seal, 
It  was  spiritedly  opposed,  however,  by  the  Colonies,  es- 
pecially in  Boston,  where  the  inhabitants  collected  and 
assaulted  the  house  of  Lieut.  Governor  Hutchinson, 
who  was  a  warm  friend  of  the  act.  In  other  places,  the 
bells  were  tolled  and  effigies  of  the  stamp-officers  were 
burnt. 

The  following  instructions  to  Col.  Saltonstall,  the 
Representative,  will  evince  the  spirit  with  which  it  was 
received  in  this  town. 

"  Whereas,  some  matters  of  great  importance  to  this 
town  and  province,  are  likely  to  come  under  considera- 
tion at  the  next  Great  and  General  Court;  therefore,  it 
is  thought  proper  to  draw  up  and  give  our  Representa- 
tive some  special  instructions.  As  the  time  prefixed  by 
act  of  Parliament  is  near,  when  their  much  disputed  and 
oppressive  stamped-papers  were  required — when  our  nav- 
igation, Courts  of  Justice,  &c.  may  not  be  carried  on 
without  them,  and  the  offenders  subject  to  a  Court  of 
Admiralty,  unless  it  be  repealed.  It  is  resolved  that  we 
esteem  it  our  indispensable  duty  to  pay  a  due  regard  to  all 
the  legal  injimciions  of  our  King  and  Parliament,  and  to 
duly  resent  all  arbitrary  impositions,  and  to  declare  that 
we  think  the  '  Stamp  Act'  tmconstitntional.  And  we 
recommend  our  Representative  to  exert  himself  to  the 
utmost  of  his  power  for  the  j)reservation  of  our  just  liber- 
ties. Also  resolved,  that  our  Representative  use  his  in- 
fluence that  there  be  no  excise  on  tea,  coffee,  See.  for 
the  future;  and  that  the  duty  be  taken  off  from  the  pri- 
vate consumption  of  liquors,  and  that  it  be  not  more 
than  four  pence  on  the  gallon  to  licensed  persons." 


168 


1766. 


The  second  meeting-house  in  the  First  Parish  had  be- 
come decayed  and  too  small  to  accommodate  the  people. 
It  was  last  year  voted  to  raise  f  300,  to  be  paid  in  lum- 
ber, to  defray  the  expenses  of  building  a  new  house,  the 
dimensions  of  which  were  ordered  not  to  exceed  60  feet 
in  length,  and  48  feet  in  breadth.  The  present  meet- 
ing-house was  accordingly  erected  and  mostly  finished, 
in  the  autumn  of  this  year. 

Rev.  Hezekiah  Smith  was  installed  over  the  First 
Baptist  Church,  on  the  12th  of  November. 


1767. 

A  powder-house  was  erected. 

The  first  fire-wardens  were  chosen.  They  were 
Cornelius  Mansise,  Enoch  Bartlett,  Samuel  White, 
Esq.,  and  Isaac  Osgood. 

The  West  Parish  extended  an  invitation  to  Mr.  Jo- 
seph Willard  to  settle  among  them,  and  he  accepted; 
but  he  was  never  ordained,  nor  are  there  any  reasons 
given  on  the  records,  why  he  was  not.  Probably  the 
late  disturbances  had  not  sufficiently  subsided. 


1768. 

21st  March.  The  thanks  of  the  town  were  voted  to 
the  ''  Gentlemen  of  the  house  of  Representatives  for 
their  firmness  in  defending  the  liberties  of  the  people." 

Samuel  Bachellor  was  chosen  a  delegate  on  the  20th 
September,  to  attend  a  Convention  holden  at  Boston  on 
the  22d,  ''to  consult,  advise  and  act  as  his  majesty's 
service,  and  the  peace  and  safety  of  his  subjects  in  this 
province  may  require."  As  a  principal  instruction  to 
Mr.  B.,  says  the  Recorder,  "it  was  voted  that  the 
King's  troops  should  not  be  hindered  their  landing  in  this 
province  by  force  of  arms." 


169 

A  Society  v:as  organized,  called  the  "  Fire  Club,"  de- 
signed for  mutunl  assistance  and  protection  in  case  of  tire: 
and  also  for  other  purposes,  which  are  thus  explained: — 
^'  The  articles  provide  that  half  the  members  shall  draw 
tickets  at  the  quarterly  meetings,  upon  which  shall  be 
the  different  routes  to  be  pursued  in  case  of  theft;  that 
those  who  draw  tickets,  upon  the  first  information  of 
theft  upon  the  property  of  any  member,  shall  repair  to 
the  place  where  the  theft  was  committed,  or  to  his  usual 
place  of  abode,  and  pursue  the  roads  they  have  drawn, 
unless  the  Committee  of  advice  shall  prescribe  different 
routes;  and  it  is  their  duty  to  use  the  utmost  exertions 
to  apprehend  the  thieves  and  recover  the  stolen  prop- 
erty.    All  extra  expenses  to  be  paid  by  the  Club,"* 


1769. 

James  Hudson  established  "  Salt-works"  on  the 
stream  now  occupied  by  Col.  John  Woodman;  and  on 
the  21st  September  the  town  gave  him  j£i3.  6s.  8d.  to 
encourage  him.  But  he  found  the  enterprise  unprofita- 
ble, and  it  was  soon  abandoned. 

1770. 

The  West  Parish  extended  an  invitation  to  Rev. 
Phineas  Adams,  who  accepted,  and  was  ordained  this 
year;  the  precise  time  cannot  be  ascertained. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Boston  merchants,  it  was  re- 
solved to  use  all  lawful  means  to  prevent  the  importa- 
tion of  British  goods.  On  the  9th  of  April,  this  town 
voted  that,  "  We  will,  by  all  lawful  ways  and  means,  ex- 
ert ourselves  to  expose  to  shame  and  contempt,  all  per- 
sons who  shall  offer  to  make  sale  of  British  Goods  im- 
ported contrary  to  the  agreement  of  Merchants,  or  that 
shall  purchase  such  goods  in  this  town,  or  be  aiding  and 

*  Sketch  of  Haverhill. 

15 


170 

a!?sisting  to  bring  them  into  it;  and  that  all  persons  who 
shall  violate  this  vote,  shall  be  rendered  incapable  of 
being  chosen  into  any  office  of  profit  in  this  Town." 
Thanks  were  also  voted  to  those  JBoston  merchants  who 
^udeavored  to  prevent  the  importation  of  British  goods. 

A  violent  whirlwind  passed  over  a  part  of  this 
town,  on  the  13th  of  August.  About  8  o^clock  in  the 
morning,  a  large  black  cloud  arose  in  the  South-west, 
charged  with  wind  and  rain.  The  wind  came  in  a  vein 
of  only  a  few  rods  in  breadth,  and  sweeping  over  Silver's 
Hiil,  struck  the  house  c-f  Mr.  Bradley,  nov/  owned  by 
Hon.  Moses  Wingnte.  JMr.  Bradley  immediately  ran 
to  the  door  and  attempted  to  hold  it,  while  the  family 
was  thrown  into  the  greatest  confusion,  running  hither 
and  thither,  amid  the  falling  bricks,  broken  glass,  and 
splinters  of  wood.  The  roof  was  instantly  blown  ofF^ 
and  a  bundle  of  wool  was  taken  from  the  garret  and 
carried  to  Great  Pond.  Not  a  pane  of  glass  was  left  in 
the  house.  The  barn,  which  stood  within  a  few  rods  of 
the  house,  was  totally  demolished,  and  a  valuable  horse 
which  was  then  in  it,  escaped  unharmed. 

1774. 

Rev.  Edward  Barnard,  minister  of  the  First  Parish, 
died  on  the  26th  January,  aged  54.  He  was  a  bright 
ornament  to  the  jVew-Engtand  clergy.  Plis  father  and 
grandfather  were,  in  succession,  the  ministers  of  the 
First  Parish  in  Andover;  and  he  was  the  brother  of 
Rev.  Thomas  Barnard,  of  Salem,  who,  says  Dr.  Eliot, 
in  his  Kew-England  Biography,  was  respected  as  one 
of  the  most  profound,  liberal  and  excellent  men  of  his 
profession.  The  same  author  thus  remarks  of  Rev.  Ed- 
ward Barnard:  "  He  was  a  most  accomplished  preacher; 
his  popular  talents  were  not  eminent,  but  his  discourses} 


171 

-w^re  correct  and  excellent  compositions,  and  liigldy  rel- 
ished by  scholars  and  men  of  taste.  He  was  a  fine 
classical  scholar,  and  excellent  in  poetry  as  well  as 
prose."  Four  of  his  sermons  and  one  poem,  were  pub- 
lished; a  sermon  delivered  at  the  ordination  of  Rev. 
Henry  True,  at  Hampstead,  24th  June,  n52;  a  fast 
sermon-,  a  sermon  delivered  at  the  ordiiiation  of  Rev. 
G}4es  Merrill,  ^xn  the  North  Parish,  6th  March,  1765; 
and  a  sermon  delivered  at  the  ordination  of  Rev.  Thom- 
as Gary,  over  the  First  Parish  in  Newburyport,  11th 
March,  1768. 

A  {ew  years  before  this,  the  Baptists  made  their  ap- 
pearance, and  caused  a  division  in  Mr.  Barnard's 
Society;  they  accused  him  of  being  unconverted  and 
of  not  preaching  the  gospel.  He  was  an  Arminian, 
as  were  the  most  of  his  contemporaries  on  the  Merri- 
mack. In  a  sermon  preached  thirty  years  after  his 
ordination,  he  says: — ''Nothing  has  been  delivered  by 
zne  that  I  would  not  venture  my  own  soul  upon.  Th^ 
fallen  state  of  man,  which  gave  rise  to  the  gospel  dis- 
pensation, the  fulness  and  freeness  of  divine  grace  in 
Christ  as  the  foundation  of  all  our  hopes,  the  influence 
of  the  spirit,  the  necessity  of  regeneration,  implying  re- 
pentance towards  God  and  fliifh  towards  Jesus  Christ, 
the  necessity  of  practical  religion,  originating  from  evan- 
gelical principles  are  some  of  the  many  things  which 
have  been  'urged,  and  which  will  appear  of  the  greatest 
importance  at  death  and  the  day  of  judgement." 

Proposals  were  issued  to  publish  a  volume  of  his 
sermons,  but  the  Revolution  broke  oiTt,  and  the  design 
of  his  friends  was  abandoned.  The  author  of  the 
"  Sketcli  of  Haverhill,"  says  that  he  has  perused  some 
of  them,  and  remarks,  that  they  were  "  indeed  correct 
and  excellent  compositions,  and  wotiid  rank  among  the 
best  American  sermons."  The  day  after  his  death,  the 
town  met  and  chose  a  Committee  to  conduct  the  fu- 
neral, and  procure  ti  monument  to  be  erected  over  his 
grave. 

Rev.  Benjamin  Parker,  of  the  East  Parish,  preach- 
ed as  one  of  his  bearers,  and  the  Salem  Gazette  thus 
notices  it: — "  We  have  just  heard  from  Haverhill,  that 
ike  Rev.  Mr.  Parker,  having  preached  as  a  bearer  i& 


112 

the  Rev.  Mr.  Barnard,  deceased,  the  people  of  Mr.  Ws 
parish  requested  a  copy  of  his  sermon  for  the  press;  and 
a  number  of  gentlemen  therein  were  pleased,  at  the 
same  time,  to  make  him  a  present  of  a  very  handsome 
suit  of  clothes.  The  promoter  and  encourager  of  said 
affair  has  also  presented  him  with  a  new  wig.  We 
should  think  that  this  kindness,  extended  to  a  needy 
minister,  in  connexion  with  their  repeated  generosity 
and  respect  shown  to  Mr.  B's  bereaved  family,  would 
be  one  powerful  inducement  for  some  of  our  promising 
and  ingenious  young  preachers  to  settle  in  the  work  of 
the  ministry  with  such  a  people.'^ 

The  principles  of  Col.  Richard  Saltonstall,  who  was 
a  Tory,  were  very  repugnant  to  the  Whig  party,  which 
composed  a  majority  of  the  voters.  A  party  from  the 
West  Parish,  and  Salem,  New-Hampshire,  collected  be- 
fore his  house,  armed  with  clubs  and  other  instruments, 
to  mob  him;  but  he  made  them  rather  ashamed  of  their 
conduct.  He  came  to  the  door,  and  with  much  dignity, 
told  them  his  reasons  for  pursuing  a  different  course 
from  that  which  they  had  adopted.  He  ordered  refresh- 
ments for  them,  and  requested  them  to  go  to  the  tavern 
and  call  for  entertainment  at  his  expense.  They  ac- 
cepted of  his  invitation,  and  huzzaed  to  his  praise.  He 
soon  after  went  to  England,  to  escape  the  resentment  of 
the  Whigs,  where  he  was  well  received  by  his  connex- 
ions. Before  the  causes  appeared  which  determined 
the  Colonies  to  strike  for  their  Independence,  he  was 
quite  popular,  was  beloved  by  his  townsmen,  and  pos- 
sessed considerable  influence.  He  died  at  Kensington, 
Great  Britain,  6th  October,  1785. 

After  the  repeal  of  the  Stamp  Act,  in  1767,  the  Bri- 
tish Parhament  passed  another,  in  October,  1770, 
equally  offensive,  imposing  duties  on  teas,  glass,  paints 
and  paper,  which  again  aroused  the  spirit  of  the  Colo- 
nies. Seven  armed  vessels  were  sent  to  Boston,  from 
Halifax,  by  the  British  Government,  to  awe  the  people 
into  obedience.  The  inhabitants  of  this  town  met  on 
iSth  July,  and  passed  nine  resolves,  expressing  their 
disapprobation  of  the  proceedings  of  the  British  Parlia- 
ment. They  voted  not  to  ''  import,  purchase,  vend  or 
consume,  any  East  India  tea,  until  the  duty  [which  was 


173 

three  pence  per  lb.]  imposed  upon  its  importation  into 
the  Colonies  should  be  taken  o-ff,  and  the  Port  ofBoston 
opened." 

800  'ibs.  of  powder  were  ordered  to  be  purchased, 
and  n  proportionable  quantity  of  balls  and  flints. 

On  the  3d  January,  the  town  voted  to  relieve  the 
poor  of  Boston  by  subscription.  On  the  12th,  Nathan- 
iel Peaslee  Sargent,  Esq.,  and  Jonathan  Webster,  jr., 
were  chosen  delegates  to  attend  the  Provincial  Con- 
gress. It  was  voted  to  defend  its  resolves,  and  to  sign 
a  covenant  similar  to  theirs.  63  minute  men  were  rais- 
ed, who  were  to  be  disciplined  one  day  every  week,  and 
the  town  allowed  them  2s.  per  day  until  they  were  call- 
ed into  active  service,  or  disbanded.  ^30  were  raised  to 
enlploy  a  person  to  drill  and  instruct  the  militia,  of 
whom  James  Sawyer  was  Capt.,  Timothy  Johnson, 
Lieut.,  and  Samuel  Eaton,  Ensign, 

A  manufactory  of  Salt  Petre  was  established  by  Na- 
thaniel Marsh  and  Israel  Bartlett,  and  the  town  voted 
them  £50,  for  their  encouragement.  But  owing  to  the 
unsettled  state  of  the  times,  it  became  unprolitable, 
and  was  soon  discontinued. 

On  Sunday,  16th  of  April,  a  destructive  fire  broke 
out  in  Main-street,  and  all  the  west  side  of  it,  from  the 
house  now  occupied  by  Mrs.  Harrod,  to  the  corner,  and 
a  barn  behind  the  house  now  occupied  by  Mr.  Peter  Os- 
good, was  burnt,  17  buildings  were  destroyed,  in- 
cluding a  large  brick  tavern,  owned  by  Mr.  John  White, 
the  store  of  Dea.  Joseph  Dodge,  the  store  of  James 
Duncan,  Esq.,  a  house  occupied  by  Mrs.  Alley,  and  a 
distillery.  The  earth  was  parched  with  a  drought,  and 
every  thing  was  combustible.  The  meeting-house  was 
frequently  on  fire,  and  there  being  but  one  engine,  it 
was  difficult  to  subdue  the  raging  element. 

Soon  as  the  news  of  Lexington  Battle,  which  hap- 
pened on  the  19th  of  April,  reached  this  place,  a  com- 
pany started  for  Boston,  to  join  the  brave  patriots  who 

15* 


IT4 

were  gathering  in  that  quarter.  It  was  in  the  battle  of 
Bunker  Hill,  and  two  of  its  members,  John  Eaton  and 
Simeon  Pike  were  killed. 

Capt.  Nehemiah  Emerson  enlisted  in  the  continen- 
tal army  in  December,  and  continued  in  service  till 
1783.  He  marched  to  IV ew- York,  and  was  there  whe» 
Independence  was  declared;  he  was  one  of  the  number 
who  retreated  from  Ticonderoga,  was  at  the  taking  of 
Burgoyne,  1777,  and  wintered  at  Valley  Forge.  He 
was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Captain  in  1780, 


On  the  2oth  June,  the  town  voted  that,  "  if  the  Hod, 
Congress,  for  the  safety  of  the  United  Colonies,  should 
declare  them  independent  of  the  Kingdom  of  Great  Brit- 
ain, this  town  does  engage  ivith  the ii-^  lives  and  fortunes  to 
support  them  in  the  measure.^^ 


1777. 

Considerable  dissention  had  existed  in  the  East  Par- 
ish for  the  last  three  or  four  years,  between  Rev.  Ben- 
jamin Parker  and  a  part  of  his  people.  It  was  occa- 
sioned by  the  refusal  of  Mr.  Parker  to  relinquish  a  part 
of  his  salary.  In  1775,  after  they  had  vainly  endeavor-' 
ed  to  allay  the  difficulties,  the  people  called  upon  the 
neighboring  ministers  for  council,  and  sent  a  commit- 
tee to  request  JMr,  Parker  to  meet  with  them;  but  he 
refused,  and  desired  that  the  parish  "  would  not  trouble 
him  with  any  more  Committees  hereafter,  for  he  would 
not  hear  them."*  At  length,  a  mutual  council  was 
holden  this  year,  on  the  21st  January,  when  a  compro- 
mise was  effected,  and  the  connexion  between  him  and 
the   parish   was   dissolved.     Mr.   Parker  graduated    at 

*  East  Parish  Record?. 


175 


Cambridge,  in  1737.  He  preached  an  excellent  ser- 
mon at  the  funeral  of  Rev.  Edward  Barnard,  which  was 

'"'a  peton  was  chosen  by  the  town  ',' to  collect  evi- 
dences against  those  who  were  deemed  mimical  to  their 
countrv  "  A  Committee  was  chosen  to  supply  the  lam- 
ilies  of  the  soldiers  in  the  continental  army  with  food 

'""^The'c^fneral  Court  resolved  to  raise  1300  men  to 
fortify  the  passes  on  North  River,  and  P''«««<1  an  act 
granting  a  bounty  of  ,£90  to  such  as  would  enlist  for  8 
months^  Zebediah  Parker,  James  Pecker  Robert 
GriOin,  and  Daniel  Merrill,  of  this  town  enlisted 

Rev  John  Shaw  was  ordained  in  the  First  Parish, 
rith  March,  with  a  salary  of  f  100.  Great  dissen  ions 
exited  before  his  settlement.  Repeated  trials  had  been 
made  to  procure  a  minister,  but  none  had  succeeded 
until  now  No  less  than  five  candidates  had  preached 
in  the  vacant  pulpit,  and  some  of  them  were  men  of  ster- 
ling worth,  fervent  piety,  and  conspicuous  talents  but 
the  strong  excitement  which  existed,  biased   the  better 

iudament  of  the  voters.  „       .  ,  mi 

Dea   David  Marsh,  grandson  of  Onesiphorus  Marsh, 

ir    died  on  the  2d  of  November,  in  the  eightieth  year 
of'his  age.     He  married  Mary  Moody,    n   1722.  who 
died  12th  August,  1794.     They  had  12  children,  all  of 
whom  lived  to  an  advanced  ^gf i, f  ^^P^,"]^'''; ''i"" 
familv  in  the   vicinity   so  remarkable  for  ,ts  longevity. 
FUzabeth   born  29th  June,    1723,  died  in   Oct.,  1807 
a-red  83;  Mary,  born  12th  March,  1725,  died  1813,  aged 
88     Judith,   bom  5th   May,  1727,  died   1816,  aged  89; 
Cutting,  born  20th  March,   1^29,  died   1809    aged  80, 
David,   born  27th  March,  1731,  died  23d   Oc^.,  1812, 
aged  81;    Moses,  born   9th  Feb.,  1^33   <iied  20th  Oct 
1820,  aged  8G;  Jonathan,  born  25th   May.   1735   died 
-th  Ma^ch,  1825,  aged  89;  Enoch,  born  3d  Aug.,  1737 
died  4th  Feb..   1806,  aged  68;    Nathaniel,  born  31st 
Dec.  1739,  died  I4th  July,  1815,  aged  75;   John   bom 
2d  Nov.,  1742,  died  13th  Sept.,  1821,  aged  78;  Lydia, 
horn  5th  Feb.',  1745,  died    12th.J"ly,  1828,  aged  83; 
Abigail,  born  3d  April,   1747,  died   17th  Feb.     1831, 
aged  84.    The  descendants  of  Onesiphorus  Marsh,  sen., 


t^ie  first  of  that  name  who  settled  In  this  town,  are  ex- 
ceedingly numerous,  and  are  scattered  in  every  direc- 
tion over  the  New-England  States. 

t77S. 

On  the  12th  January,  it  was  voted  in  a  fbll  meeting, 
^'  that  an  Union  ot"  the  13  Inrdependent  States  is  a  mat- 
ter of  the  greatest  importance."  The  "plan  of  Union" 
being  read;  they  voted  that  "it  was  generally  agreea- 
ble, though,  in  some  respects  we  could  wish  it  altered." 

This  year  the  town  exerted  every  nerve  to  raise  men 
and  money  for  the  continental  army,  and  for  the  service 
of  the  State.  Fifteen  soldiers  were  raised,  and  the 
Town  Treasurer  v/as  ordered  to  hire  money  to  pay 
them.  £60  were  paid  to  four  men,  who  served  "  as 
guards  at  Cambridge."  ,£120  were  paid  to  eight  sol* 
diers  who  "  served  about  Boston,"  £1 .  lis.  were  paid 
to  two  men  for  "  going  to  Boston."  Nine  soldiers  en- 
listed in  the  militia,  and  were  paid  by  the  town.  Two 
men  served  on  Winter  Hill  5  months,  to  whom  the  town 
paid  £-50.  Eight  men  served  in  the  militia  three  months, 
and  six  men  marched  to  Providence,  who  were  paid  by 
the  town.  On  the  30th  of  June,  the  town  raised  £2600 
to  defray  the  charges  "  it  had  been  at  in  procuring  sol- 
diers for  the  continental  army  and  for  the  service  of  the 
state."  It  was  also  voted  "to  raise  £500  to  hire  the 
soldiers  this  town  is  now  obliged  to  raise."  On  the 
19th  July,  six  soldiers  were  hired,  to  be  stationed  at 
Cambridge,  to  whom  the  town  paid  £110. 

The  Treasurer  was  ordered  to  supply  the  militia 
officers  with  such  sums  of  money  as  were  necessary  for 
the  ""hire  of  soldiers,  and  if  thoTe  is  no  money  in  the 
Treasury,  then  the  Treasurer  is  to  hire  money  until  it 
can  be  raised  by  the  town.'" 


1770. 

A  Committee  of  "  correspondence  and  safety"  was 
chosen,  consisting  of  six  persons,  of  whom  Gen.  James 
Brickett  was  Chairman. 


177 


Oil  the  7th  of  September,  the  enormous  sum  of 
XGOOO  was  raised  to  defray  the  town  charges, 

Hannah  Belknap,  daughter  of  Nathaniel  Ayer,  died 
in  November,  aged  106  years  and  11  months. 


1780. 

An  immense  quantity  of  snow  fell  this  winter;  it  was 
so  deeply  drifted,  that  in  breaking  the  road  over  the 
Common,  a  large  hole  was  dug  through  a  drift,  through 
which  a  company  of  men  rode  on  horseback.* 

18th  May.     The  remarkable  dark  day  and  night. 


17S1. 

On  the  15th  January,  the  town  raised  the  enormous 
quantity  of  32,256  lbs.  of  Beef  for  the  continental  army. 
Twenty-eight  soldiers  were  likewise  raised,  whose  char- 
ges were  paid  by  the  town.  3d  July.  Four  men  were 
drafted  for  Rhode-Island,  and  paid  by  the  town. 


1783. 

The  Selectmen  received  a  circular  letter  from  Bos- 
ton, "  concerning  the  return  into  this  State,  of  certain 
persons  called  Refugees."  A  town-meeting  was  called 
purposely  to  act  on  the  subject,  when  it  was  voted  that 
the  "  Representative  be  instructed  that  whenever  the 
affair  respecting  the  return  of  the  Refugees  should  be 
laid  before  the  General  Court,  that  he  do  use  his  influ- 
ence in  said  Court  to  prevent  their  return." 

On  the  3d  September,  a  treaty  of  peace  was  signed, 
and  the  13  United  States  becam.e  an  independent  na- 
tion.    The  object  for  which  the  inhabitants  of  the  Co1q» 

♦  Bartlett's  Journal. 


178 

siies  fought  and  bled,  was  now  obtained;  and  there  were 
but  few  towns,  if  any,  which  made  greater  exertions  to 
forward  the  cause  of  freedom  than  this;  no  effort  was 
spared;  no  sacrifice  was  thought  too  great.  The  cour- 
age of  the  inhabitants  never  flagged,  even  at  the  darkest 
period;  'they  had  nailed  the  Hag  to  the  mast,' to  use 
the  expressiou  of  a  veteran  of  that  period,  '  and  they 
determined  to  see  it  wave  in  the  winds  of  freedom,  or 
fall  nobly  fighting.'  They  were  willing  to  spend  their 
treasures  and  shed  their  blood;  and  when  there  was 
scarcely  room  to  hope,  the  votes  v.hich  were  passed  in 
their  town-meetings,  show  a  spirit  of  coolness,  determi- 
nation and  patriotism  v,'hich  is  truly  astonishing; — they 
evinced  a  chivalry  far  nobler  than  that  of  olden  time; 
they  were  actuated  by  a  principle  from  which  death  only 
couJd  separate  them. 

The  following  lists  of  men  who  were  in  the  army  at 
different  periods,  were  furnished  us  by  Hon.  Israel  Bart- 
lett.  They  were  drafted  from  the  company  which  belong- 
ed to  the  village,  and  of  which  INIr.  Bartlett  was  Lieut,  in 
1777,  and  afterwards  Capt.  We  did  not  insert  them  in 
their  regular  order,  because  it  was  thought  best  to  give 
them  in  a  body.  These  were  drafted  from  the  Artillery 
Company  for  the  continental  service  in  1775  and  1776: — 
Thomas  Cogswell,  Capt,;  Samuel  Kiml^all,  1st  Lieut.; 
William  Lemont,  2d  Lieut.;  Samuel  Walker,  Ensign; 
John  White,  Quarter-INIaster;  John  Dow,  James  Peck- 
er, Theodore  Tyler,  Joseph  Whiting,  John  Eaton,  Ste- 
phen Dustin,  Jonathan  Sargent,  IVIoses  Ilarriman,  Na- 
than Ayer,  James  Townsend,  Joseph  Johnson,  Stephen 
Jackson,  David  Harris,  Jonathan  Harris,  Nehemiah 
Emerson,  Jonathan  Dustin,  jr.,  Samuel  Middleton, 
Samuel  Middleton,  jr.,  William  Baker,  John  Stickney, 
John  Tyler,  Job  Gage,  David  Pcrley,  John  Downing, 
Nathaniel  Kimball,  Samuel  Woodman,  Ephraim  Dodge, 
Samuel  Buck,  Daniel  Tyler,  William  Greenleaf,  David 
INIoores,  Stephen  Runnels,  William  Gage,  Daniel  Rem- 
ich,  IVIoses  Keezar,  Samuel  Lecount,  Joshua  Moores, 
Joseph  Wakefield,  James  Rix,  John  Whittier,  Bart 
Pecker,  John  Alley,  and  Philip  Bagley,  privates. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  those  who  served  six  weeks 
at  Roxbury,     They  were  commanded  by  Capt.  Eaton, 


179 

and  marched  in  December,  1775.  Obadiah  Ayer,  Dan- 
iel Hill,  jr.,  Moses  Willcomb,  Amos  Clement,  John 
Whiting,  Nehemiah  Emerson,  jr.,  Peter  Middleton, 
Ebcnezer   Ballard,  Moses  Whittier,  Samuel  Greenleaf. 

It  frequently  happened  that,  when  an  order  came  to 
draft  soldiers,  two,  three  and  four  men  were  classed, 
and  were  obliged  to  hire  one  man  to  serve  in  their  room.. 
This  was  done  so  as  to  make  each  man  bear  an  equal 
portion  of  the  burthen.  The  following  is  a  hst  of  those 
who  served  two  months  in  1776,  or  hired.  Samuel  Apple- 
ton,  John  Cogswell,  jr.,  Isaac  Reddington,  John  Green, 
Theodore  Tyler,  Amos  Gile,  William  Wingate.  Da- 
vid Marsh,  Enoch  Marsh,  and  Nathaniel  Marsh,  were 
classed,  and  hired  one  man;  James  Duncan,  Samuel 
Duncan,  and  Jonathan  Barker,  were  classed,  and  hired 
one  man;  Israel  Bartlett  and  Phineas  Carlton,  were 
classed,  and  hired  one  man. 

On  the  29th  June,  1776,  an  order  arrived  from  the 
General  Court  to  raise  43  men  in  this  town.  The  quota 
of  the  Artillery  company  was  eleven.  They  were  des- 
tined for  Ticonderoga,  and  were  paid  £9  per  month,  by 
the  Government.  Those  who  hired,  paid  a  bounty  of 
$30.  Those  who  marched,  were  James  Brickett,  Brig. 
General;  John  Wingate,  Abraham  Swett,  Ensign,  James 
Rix,  Nathan  Ayer,  Benjamin  Mooers,  jr.,  John  Gage, 
Peter  Middleton,  Dudley  Dustin,  Joshua  Moores,  James 
Clement,  and Pecker. 

On  the  18th  July,  1776,  another  order  was  received 
from  Col.  Whittier,  to  draft  every  25th  man,  destined 
for  Ticonderoga.  John  Bailey,  Thomas  Hopkins  and 
Nathaniel  Bodge,  were  drafted  from  the  Artillery,  and 
marched  on  the  17th  of  August.  On  the  25th  of  the 
same  month,  every  25th  man  was  raised,  and  marched 
for  Dorchester.  On  the  22d  September  an  order  was 
received,  to  raise  every  5th  man  in  the  town,  under  fifty 
years  of  age,  destined  for  New-York.  The  quota  of 
the  Artillery  Company  was  twelve.  And  it  was  so 
classed  that  three  men  were  to  furnish  one  soldier  each, 
and  twenty-two  were  to  furnish  nine.  In  December, 
another  was  received,  to  raise  every  fifth  man  in  the 
town,  to  march  to  New-Jersey.  The  quota  of  the  Ar- 
tillery Company  was  again  twelve;  three  of  whom 
marched,  and  the  others  employed  substitutes. 


180 

In  January,  1777,  says  Mr.  Bartlett's  Record,  '"^  or- 
ders were  received  to  raise  every  seventh  man  in  the 
town,  from  16  years  old  and  upward  that  had  a  being." 
Every  town  in  the  Commonwealth  received  the  same  or- 
der. The  object  was  to  raise  a  continental  army  for  three 
years  from  the  1st  of  January.  The  quota  of  the  Artil- 
lery Company  was  found  to  be  30;  and  the  following 
men,  exclusive  of  officers,  were  raised,  principally  by  a 
tax  on  the  company:  James  Rix,  Jacob  Rowe,  Moses 
Downing,  William  Harriman,  Samuel  Back,  John 
Thomas,  Samuel  Remich,  John  Shaw,  John  Shaw,  jr., 
Moses  Moores,  William  Baker,  David  Peasley,  JVIoses 
Keezar,  William  Greenleaf,  John  Lee,  Robert  Martin, 
Job  Gage,  Oliver  Page,  William  Pecker,  James  Clem- 
ent, James  Clement,  jr.,  William  Huston,  Thomas 
Thornton,  John  Tyler,  Moses  Lecount,  Samuel  Mid- 
dleton,  jr.,  John  Graham,  Robert  Hopkins,  John  Dow, 
Jacob  Back.  In  July,  eleven  men  were  drafted  from 
the  Company  to  reinforce  the  Northern  army  till  the  1st 
January,  1778.  They  were  raised  in  the  following 
manner: — Nine  men  furnished  one  soldier;  twenty-four 
furnished  four;  and  thirteen  furnished  two.  It  appears 
by  the  record,  that  the  deta^ment  wanted  two  of  being 
complete.  In  September, ^n  invitation  was  received 
from  the  General  Court,  for  half  of  this  regiment  to  turn 
-out  as  volunteers,  to  reinforce  the  Northern  army,  then 
at  Saratoga;  and  to  remain  in  service  thirty  days  after 
their  arrival  at  Head  Quarters.  The  following  men 
turned  out  from  the  Artillery  Company.  Nathaniel 
Marsh,  Capt. ;  Israel  Bartlett,  Lieut.;  James  Ayer,  Ben- 
jamin Mooers,  jr.,  Nathan  Ayer,  Jonathan  Barker,  Ed- 
mund Chase,  Ebenezer  Dustin,  Moses  Emerson,  Eb- 
enezer  Greenough,  John  Gage,  Jacob  George,  David 
Green,  James  Hasehine,  Samuel  Walker,  Thomas 
Haynes,  Cotton  Kimball,  Dudley  Ladd,  jr.,  Samuel 
Souther,  John  Souther,  Jeremiah  Stickney,  Benjamin 
Baker,  Ebenezer  Foster,  Joshua  Moores,  Jonathan 
Harris,  Mark  Witham,  John  Cook,  Enoch  Cordwell, 
and  James  Pell.  These  men  were  accompanied  by 
Brig.  General  James  Brickett.  They  marched  on  the 
4th  of  October,  arrived  at  Head  Quarters  just  after  a 
cessation  of  arms  had  been  declared,  and  were  absent 
five  weeks. 


181 

In  March,  1T78,  two  men  were  detached  to  serve  as 
guards  at  Cambridge.  In  April,  an  order  was  received 
to  raise  fifteen  men  in  this  town,  to  complete  the  fifteen 
batalliotis  which  were  raising  for  the  continental  army. 
The  town  voted  a  bounty  of  <£100  to  each  soldier  who 
would  enlist.  They  were  to  serve  nine  months  after 
their  arrival  at  Fishkill.  Those  who  were  detached 
from  the  Artillery,  were  Natlian  Kimball,  Thomas  Sar- 
gent, William  Appleton,  Moses  Harriman,  Gilbert 
Bond,  Ephraim  H.  Brown,  Samuel  Eames,  Francis 
Smiley,  Jeremiah  Davis,  and  Edward  Barker,  jr.  In  the 
same  month,  another  order  was  received  for  a  detach- 
ment of  ten  men,  to  serve  eight  months  after  their  arri- 
val at  Peekskill.  The  town  voted  a  bounty  of  £90  to 
each  soldier  that  would  enlist.  In  June,  twelve  men 
were  detached  for  Rhode-Island,  to  serve  eight  months; 
and  the  following  were  detached  from  the  Artillery. 
John  Whittier,  Peter  Middleton,  Mark  Witham,  John 
Gage,  Joshua  Moores,  and  Theodore  Tyler.  In  the 
same  month,  six  men  marched  to  Cambridge,  and  were 
paid  by  the  town.  In  July,  six  men  were  detached 
from  the  Artillery,  to  serve  six  weeks  at  Rhode-Island. 
In  September,  nine  men  nwched  from  this  town,  three 
from  the  Artillery  Company,  to  serve  at  Boston  till  the 
1st  of  January,  1779, 

The  foregoing  items  were  principally  taken  from  the 
records  of  the  Artillery  Company.  There  were  then 
but  two  Companies  in  the  town,  sometimes  called  the 
1st  and  2d.  We  are  sorry  to  say  that  the  records  of 
the  latter  have  never  been  found,  and  it  is  believed  that 
they  have  been  destroyed. 


ir§4. 

29th  June.  John  Sawyer,  who  had  been  in  a  state 
of  partial  delirium  for  some  years,  leaped  from  the  bel- 
fry of  the  First  Parish  meeting-house.  Mr.  Bradford, 
the  bell-man,  who  had  but  one  leg,  was  ascending  to  the 
bell,  when  Sawyer  went  past  him,  and  arrived  at  it  first. 
Without  any  previous  disclosure  of  his  design,  he  sud- 


182 

denlv  leaped  from  the  fearful  height,  and  landed  on  flic 
side-walk  Dr.  Daniel  Brickett  was  the  first  physician 
called  to  his  assistance.  Soon  as  he  arrived  Sawyer 
cried  out  in  intense  agony,  "  Doctor,  Doctor!  do  kill 
me!"  His  back  was  broken,  and  he  survived  but  a  tew 
hours. 


178S. 


In  September,  a  letter  was  addressed  by  the  town 
of  Boston  to  every  town  in  tb.e   State,  "  concernmg  the 
comnron  interest  of  the  country."     A  Committee  was 
chosen  to  reply  to  it,  of  which  Gen.  James  Bncket 
was  Chairman.'  It  breathes  the  purest  and  loftiest  pat- 
riotism.    With   grateful  hearts  they   acknowledge   the 
dh"ne  aid  in  the  darkest  period  of  the  Revolution,  and 
';;":«;  ,he  highest  cctldence  m  the  constitution  of  the 
United  States.     We  extract  the  following;-    It  at  any 
time  we  are  aggrieved,  when  we  apply  lor  redress,  tne 
loors  are  not  closed  against  us,  nor  guarded  by  a  mi  i- 
arv  power  to  overawe^s.     We  have  a  right  to  apply 
for'^i-riief,  and  the   constitution  has  P-nted  out  an  easy 
ch»ap  and  ekpeditious  mode  to  procure    t      Ihe  late 
riotous  proceedings*  in  some  Counties  m  this  Common- 
eal  1 ,  in  interrupting  the  Courts  of  Justice,  from  wh  ch 
Government  derives  so  much  energy  and  support,  a  e 
sorepu-nant  to  the   Constitution,  and  so  abhorrent  to 
ev-rTtdea  of  peace   and  good   order,  that  we  t Innk  it 
^u;  indispensable  duty  to   bear  this   public   testimony 
a"ainst   vfem,  as  subversive  of  government,  and   ending 
'o"i^roduce  'a  state  of  anarchy  which  may  terminate  m 
he  establishment    of  despotism    and    -^'  -T    P- -  • 
This  town  has  borne  its   lull   share  of  all  tne   buidens, 
fos  es   and  expenses  of  the  late  war,  and  -ts  subsequen 
nrooortion  of  exoenses  since  the  peace.     Ihe  piesent 
fo,™  of  Government  we  ddWcratdn  adopted  and  u;sh  not 

— p.„,.«y  rer„r-,„,  ^  f^:^:'.:::::^^'^^^:^ 


183 

io  see  It  sacrificed.  Yve  are  ready,  therefore, to  join  you 
in  a  firm  and  vigorous  support  of  our  Constitution  in  the 
redress  of  grievances,  and  in  promoting  industry,  econ- 
omy, and  every  other  virtue  which  can  exalt  and  render 
a  nation  respectable. 

Signed,         James  Brickett,  Chairman." 

There  was  a  ship-yard  at  Rocks'  Village,  and  a  few 
vessels  were  built.  None,  however,  have  been  built 
since  the  year  1800. 

Four  distilleries  were  in  full  operation;  three  in  the 
village,  and  one  at  the  Rocks.  In  some  productive  sea- 
sons, several  thousand  barrels  of  cider  were  distilled. 
The  West  India  trade,  at  this  time,  was  considerable, 
and  many  vessels  were  owned  in  town,  built  for  that 
purpose.  Large  quantities  cf  lumb-er  were  exported 
thence,  and  exchanged  for  molasses. 

A  duck  manufactory  was  established  by  Samuel 
Blodget,  Esq.,  but  it  did  not  succeed. 

The  tow^n  had  hitherto  chosen  but  one  representa.- 
tive.  This  year  it  was  votxjd  to  choose  a  secondj^  '■'if  he 
would  not  be  of  any  expense  to  the  town,"^^ — and  Samuel 
Blodget,  Esq.  was  chosen  second  Representative. 

r^\athaniel  Peasley  Sargent,  better  known  as  Judge 
Sargent,  died  in  October.  He  was  the  son  of  Rev. 
Christopher  Sargent,  of  Methuen,  and  his  mother  was 
the  daughter  of  Col.  Nathaniel  Peasley,  of  Haverhill. 
Mr.  Sargent  graduated  at  Cambridge,  in  1750,  and  soon 
after  commenced  the  practice  of  law  in  this  town.  He 
was  never  distinguished  at  the  bar  as  an  advocate,  yet 
he  possessed  sound  learning,  and  there  were  but  few 
men  more  respected  for  integrity,  and  uniformity  of  con- 
duct.     We  have  heard  ma^ich  in  his  praise  from  the  lips 


184 

of  the  aged.  In  1776,  he  was  appointed  Judge  of  the 
Superior  Court  of  Judicature,  and  in  1790,  immediately 
after  the  resignation  of  Chief  Justice  Cushing,  he  was 
appointed  to  the  highest  seat  on  the  bench;  and  he  is 
gpoken  of  as  an  able  and  impartial  Judge. 

— Q^Q?©— 

1793. 

The  first  paper  pubUshed  in  this  town,  was  issued  in 
September.  It  was  styled  the  "  Guardian  of  Freedom," 
and  was  edited  by  Benjamin  Edes,  jr.  The  next  year 
it  was  transferred  to  the  possession  of  Samuel  Aiken. 
It  advocated  federal  politics. 


1794. 

Haverhill  Bridge  was  completed  in  the  fall.  It  was 
erected  on  three  arches  of  180  feet  each,  supported  by 
three  handsome  stone  piers,  40  feet  square.  It  had  as 
many  defensive  piers,  or  sterlings,  extending  50  feet 
above,  and  a  draw  of  30  feet  over  the  channel.  Soon 
as  it  was  passable,  Judith  Whiting,  the  grandmother  of 
Joseph  Whiting,  then  in  her  hundredth  year,  walked 
over  it  unaided.  The  old  lady  died  soon  after,  wanting 
twelve  days  to  complete  a  century. 

In  1796  there  were  seven  bridges  over  the  Merri- 
mack; the  Essex,  three  miles  from  Newburyport;  Mer- 
rimack, eight;  Haverhill,  fifteen;  Andover,  twenty-four; 
Dracut,  at  Pawtucket  Falls,  thirty-four;  McGregor's,  at 
Amoskeag  Falls,  forty-two;  and  Concord,  fifty-six. 
They  were  all  private  property,  and  were  arched,  ex- 
cepting Dracut  and  McGregor's,  which  were  horizon- 
tal. A  Mr.  Palmer  was  the  proprietor  of  the  arched 
bridge  in  this  country. 

Rev.  John  Shaw  died  suddenly,  on  Monday  the  29th 
of  September,  aged  48.  The  day  before,  he  was  in  usual 
health,  and  preached  through  the  day.     His  character 


185 

Was  unspottedj  and  he  was  a  "bright  example  of  meek- 
ness, patience  and  charity."  He  was  so  loved  and  res- 
pected by  the  inhabitants,  that  they  voted  to  adjourn  the 
town-meeting,  which  was  convened  on  the  day  of  his 
funeral.  Mrs.  Shaw,  who  was  greatly  respected  for 
her  piety  and  domestic  virtues,  was  afterwards  married 
to  Rev.  Stephen  Peabody,  of  Atkinson.  She  was  the 
sister  of  the  wife  of  John  Adams.  Mr.  Shaw  left  only 
one  son,  the  late  William  S.  Shaw,  ]gsq.  of  Boston,  and 
two  daughters. 


Rev.  Abiel  Abbot  was  the  first  candidate  who 
preached,  after  the  decease  of  Mr.  Shaw,  and  the  parish 
gave  him  an  unanimous  call  to  settle.  He  was  ordained 
on  the  8th  of  June. 

Merrimack  Bridge  was  completed  in  the  fall;  it  was 
built  a  few  rods  above  Holt's  Rocks.  It  was  1 ,000  feet 
in  length,  and  w^as  the  longest  bridge  over  the  Merri- 
mack. It  had  four  arches,  a  draw,  and  was  supported 
by  five  piers  and  two  abutments.  There  was  but  little 
travel  over  the  bridge,  and  the  proprietors  suffered  it  to 
fall  to  decay.  It  was  swept  away  by  the  ice  in  the 
spring  of  1818. 


1796. 

The  town  began  to  reckon  its  monies  in  Dollars, 
Cents,  etc. 

A  malignant  fever  broke  out  in  some  of  the  neigh- 
boring towns,  and  a  Committee  of  thirteen  was  chosen  to 
adopt  measures  to  prevent  its  introduction  into  this. 

21st  Sept.  It  was  voted  to  build  a  pound  with 
stones.  It  is  now  standing  on  the  south  end  of  the 
Common. 

16* 


186 


1707. 

Rev.  Isaac  Tompkins  was  ordained  in  the  East  Par- 
ish, on  the  7th  of  January.  His  salary  was  voted  year- 
ly. The  contract  between  him  and  the  Society,  ran 
thus: — "  The  salary  was  not  to  exceed  $266  66,  nor  be 
less  than  gl83  33;  and  it^  the  Parish  did  not  allow  him 
a  satisfactory  support,  a  committee  was  to  be  mutually 
chosen  who  should  fix  it  between  the  above  sums." 

1798. 

The  Guardian  of  Freedom  was  discontinued,  and  the 
''  Impartial  Herald"  was  soon  after  issued. 

The  affairs  of  the  nation  were  discussed  at  a  town- 
meeting,  and  it  was  voted  to  send  the  President,  John 
Adams,  the  following  address: — 

"  While  we  disapprove  of  an  interference  of  the  peo- 
ple with  the  administration  of  our  rs'ational  Government, 
we  consider  it  our  duty,  at  this  time,  to  assure  you  that 
the  measures  you  have  adopted  and  pursued  as  first 
Magistrate  of  the. Union,  have  uniformly  met  our  hearty 
concurrence.  In  full  confidence  that  those  measures 
have  been  dictated  by  wisdom,  and  the  purest  principles 
of  patriotism,  we  cannot  withhold  the  expression  of  our 
grateful  thanks  for  your  undeviating  firmness  in  their 
execution — your  late  exertions  to  redress  our  wTongs — 
to  accommodate  differences  unhappily  existing  between 
this  country  and  the  French  Republic — to  conciliate  the 
affections  of  our  Allies — to  preserve  our  neutrality — to 
establish  our  peace  and  happiness — and  above  all  to 
support  the  independence,  dignity  and  freedom  of  the 
United  States,  afford  the  highest  evidence  of  the  justice 
and  wisdom  of  your  administration;  and  demands,  in  an 
eminent  degree,  the  gratitude  of  every  patriotic  citizen. 

"We  humbly  deprecate  the  calamities  of  war — but 
when  the  safety,  the  independence,  the  freedom  of  our 
country  require,  under  the  directions  of  the  Government 
of  our  choice,  imploring  a  blessing  from  heaven,  we  are 


187 

prepared,  with  our  property  and  at  the  hazard  of  our 
lives,  to  support  our  Government,  to  vindicate  our 
rights,  and  to  defend  our  country." 

This  letter  was  transmitted  to  Hon.  Bailey  Bartlett, 
then  Representative  to  Congress,  and  by  him  to  the 
President.     The  following  is  the  President's  reply: — 

^'  To  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Haverhill  in  the 
State  of  Massachusetts. 

"  Gentlemen: — I  thank  you  for  a  respectable  and 
affectionate  address,  which  has  been  presented  to  me  by 
Mr.  Bartlett,  your  Representative  in  Congress. 

^'The  interference  of  the  people  with  the  adminis- 
tration of  the  National  Government,  in  ordinary  cases, 
would  be,  not  only  useless  and  unnecessary,  but  very 
inconvenient  and  expensive  to  them,  if  not  calculated  to 
disturb  the  public  councils  with  prejudices,  passions, 
local  views,  and  partial  interests,  which  would  better  be 
at  rest.  But  there  are  some  great  conjunctions  in 
which  it  is  proper,  and  in  such  a  government  as  ours, 
perhaps  necessary.  If  ever  such  an  occasion  can  occur, 
the  present  is  one. 

*'  Your  assurance  to  me  that  the  measures  I  have 
adopted  as  first  Magistrate  of  the  Union,  have  uniform- 
ly met  your  hearty  concurrence;  and  your  declaration 
that  you  are  prepared  with  your  property,  and  at  the 
hazard  of  your  lives,  to  support  your  Government,  vin- 
dicate your  rights,  and  defend  your  country,  are  to  me 
a  great  consolation.  JOHN  ADAMS. 

Philadelphia,  June  6,  '98. 


1800. 

The  Impartial  Herald  was  discontinued,  and  "The 
Observer"  was  issued  by  Galen  H.  Fay. 

An  eulogy  on  the  death  of  Gen.  Washington  was 
delivered,  by  Rev.  Abiel  Abbot,  on  ihe  22d  of  February, 
and  the  General's  address  on  leaving  the  Presidential 
chair,  was  also  read.  The  town  ordered  it  to  be  print- 
ed, and  one  copy  to  be  given  to  every  family. 

A  steeple  was  built  to  the  Baptist  meeting-house. 


188 


18^1. 

Rev.  Gyles  Merrill,  minister  of  the  North  Parish, 
tlied  on  the  27th  of  April.  His  memory  is  still  fresh  in 
the  minds  of  those  who  have  survived  him,  and  they  tes- 
tify to  his  amiable  disposition,  and  devotedness  as  a 
christian.  There  was  nothing  theatrical  in  Mr.  Mer- 
rill's manner,  while  in  the  desk; — he  made  but  few  ges- 
tures— yet  he  exhibited  a  meekness  and  simplicity  which 
made  him  an  interesting  preacher.  He  had  the  welfare 
of  his  people  much  at  heart,  and  he  constantly  studied 
how  he  might  best  serve  them.  He  left  three  sons; 
Moses  Merrill,  Esq.,  of  this  town,  James  C.  T^Ierrill, 
Esq.,  Counsellor  at  Law,  Boston,  and  Samuel  Merrill, 
Esq.,  Counsellor  at  Law,  Andover. 

Rev.  Phineas  Adams,  minister  of  the  West  Parish, 
also  died  on  the  27th  of  November.  He  graduated  at 
Cambridge,  in  1762.  The  West  Parish  -was  very  for- 
tunate to  procure  such  a  man  as  Mr.  Adams,  for  he  was 
well  calculated  to  heal  the  difficulties  that  existed.  He 
possessed  an  amiable  disposition,  bland  and  conciliatory 
manners,  and  sound  sense.  He  experienced  many 
trials,  though  no  serious  division  happened  while  he 
was  among  them.  Since  his  death,  the  pulpit  has  been 
alternately  occupied  by  different  ministers  until  the  set- 
tlement of  Mr.  Grosvenor. 


1809. 

On  the  24th  of  Jan.,  the  weather  was  so  -svarm  that 
the  ice  in  the  river  moved  with  the  tide,  and  there  was  but 
little  snow  till  the  22d  of  February,  M'hen  a  large  quan- 
tity seems  to  have  fallen;  for  the  Hon.  Bailey  Bartlett, 
Ichabod  Tucker,  Esq.,  and  some  others,  rode  to  Ipswich 
on  the  snow-crust,  over  the  fences,  in  a  large  double 
sleigh.* 

Catharine  EmersSn  died  14th  June,  aged  100. 

The  Merrimack  Lodge  was  organized  on  the  loth  of 
June,  and  has  ever  since  been  in  successful  operation, 

*  Bartlett's  Journal. 


189 


1803. 

The  happy  connexion  which  had  heretofore  existed 
between  Rev.  Abiel  Abbot  and  his  people,  became  dis- 
solved on  the  13th  of  June.  The  inadequateness  of  his 
salary  was  the  cause  of  the  controversy,  which  com- 
menced early  in  the  year.  Mr.  Abbot  requested  the 
Parish  to  make  an  addition  of  ^200,  and  informed  it  that 
nothing  less  would  be  considered  a  ''■  competent  sup- 
port." The  parish  would  not  comply  with  this  request, 
and  Mr.  Abbot  immediately  asked  a  dismission.  He 
was  again  settled  over  the  first  Church  and  Society  in 
Beverly,  on  the  13th  of  December.  He  died  on  quaran- 
tine-ground, at  New-York,  8th  June,  1828,  and  was 
buried  on  Staten  Island.  The  following  is  a  list  of  pub- 
lications which  were  kindly  furnished  us  by  Rev.  David 
Oliphant,  of  Beverly: — 

Memorial  of  Divine  Benefits — a  sermon  preached  at 
Exeter,  on  the  15th,  and  at  Haverhill  on  the  29th  of  No- 
vember, 1798,  the  days  of  public  Thanksgiving  in  New- 
Hampshire  and  Massachusetts. 

Traits  of  resemblance  in  the  People  of  the  United 
States  of  America  to  Ancient  Israel — a  sermon  preached 
at  Haverhill,  November  28,  1799,  on  the  Anniversary 
Thanksgiving. 

Eulogy  on  the  Life  and  Character  of  Washington — 
delivered  by  request,  on  the  22d  of  Feb.,  1800,  before 
the  inhabitants  of  Haverhill. 

The  Duty  of  Youth — a  sermon  occasioned  by  the 
death  of  Miss  Sarah  Ayer,  April  7,  1802,  at  Haverhill. 

The  Mariner\  Manual — a  sermon  preached  in  Bev- 
erly, March  4,  1804. 

Jl  Discourse  before  the  Portsmouth  Female  Asylum, 
August  9,  1807. 

A  Discourse,  delivered  at  Plymouth,  December  22, 
1809,  at  the  celebration  of  the  188th  Anniversary  of  the 
landing  of  our  Forefathers. 

Sermons  to  Mariners — (a  duodecimo  vol.)  published 
in  1812. 

An  Address  before  the  Massachusetts  Society  for 
suppressing  Intemperance,  June  2,  1815. 


190 

Discourse  before  the  Missionary  Society  of  Salem 
and  vicinity,  and  the  Essex  South  Musical  Society,  Oc- 
tober 2,  1816. 

Discourses  on  Baptism. 

The  ParenVs  Assistant  and  Sunday  School  Book,  pub- 
lished in  1822. 

Charge  at  the  Ordination  of  Rev.  Bernard  JVhitman, 
February  15,  1826. 

Mdress  before  the  Berry  Street  Conference,  ]May 
31,  1826. 

Ecclesiastical  Peace  Recommended — a  Discourse  be- 
fore the  Annual  Convention  of  the  Congregational  Min- 
isters of  Massachusetts,  JMay  13,  1827. 

The  Example  of  the  first  Preachers  of  the  Gospel  con- 
sidered— a  sermon  preached  at  the  Installation  of  Rev. 
Abiel  Abbot,  in  the  Confrregational  Church  in  Peterbo- 
rough, N.  H.,  June  27,  1327. 

Letters  ivriltcn  in  the  interior  of  Cuba,  between  the 
Mountains  of  Jlrcana,  to  the  East,  and  of  Cusco,  to  the 
West,  in  the  months  of  February,  March,  April,  and 
May,  1828.— Boston,  1S29. 

A  posthumous  vol.,  entitled  Sermons  by  the  late  Rev. 
Miel  Abbot,  D.  D.  of  Beverly,  Mass. ;  iciih  a  Memoir  of 
his  life  J  by  S.  Everett— Boston,  1831. 


The  citizens  celebrated  the  4th  of  July.  A  dinner 
was  provided  by  Mr.  Harrod,  and  some  of  the  citizens 
sat  down  to  a  cold  collation  on  the  parade-ground. 

20th  July,  Daniel  Webb,  an  Englishman,  vras 
found  suspended  from  the  limb  of  a  tree.  He  was  im- 
mediately taken  down,  and  means  were  used  to  resusci- 
tate life,  but  without  effect, 

A  code  of  By-Laws  was  reported  and  accepted  by 
the  town. 

Rev.  Hezekiah  Smith,  minister  of  the  First  Baptist 
Society,  died  on  the  24th  of  January.     He  was  born  on 


191 

Long  Island,  21st  April,  1737,  and  received  a  pablic 
education  at  Princeton  College,  where  he  took  the  de- 
gree of  A.  M.  in  1765.  After  he  left  College,  he  trav- 
elled over  a  great  part  of  the  United  States,  a  distance 
of  4000  miles,  and  preached  about  two  hundred  times. 
On  his  arrival  at  Charleston,  South-Carolina,  he  was 
ordained  as  an  Evangelist.  In  the  spring  of  1766,  he 
came  to  New-England,  but  with  the  intention  of  return- 
ing in  the  fall;  he  was,  however,  prevailed  upon  to  ac- 
cept the  invitation  of  this  Church,  and  was  installed  on 
the  12th  of  November,  of  the  same  year.  Soon  after 
his  installation.  Congress  appointed  him  a  Chaplain  in 
the  Army;  and  in  this  situation  he  remained  till  1780, 
when  he  was  honorably  discharged.  While  in  that  sta- 
tion he  was  highly  esteemed,  both  by  officers  and  men; 
and  he  often  exposed  himself  in  the  time  of  battle,  to 
encourage  the  soldiers  and  comfort  the  wounded  and 
dying.  Upon  his  return,  the  Society  voted  him  a  salary 
of  <£iOO  in  silver.  Brown  University  is  greatly  in- 
debted to  his  exertions.  He  travelled  through  various 
parts  of  the  country,  collecting  monies  for  its  benefit,  a 
service  for  which  he  was  eminently  qualified.  At  an 
early  period,  that  Seminary,  sensible  of  his  talents  and 
great  worth,  chose  him  one  of  its  Fellows;  and  in  1797, 
conferred  on  him  the  degree  of  D.  D.  But  few  excell- 
ed him  as  a  preacher;  his  discourses  were  plain  and 
evangelical,  and  his  voice  was  strong  and  impressive. 
"  In  the  family,  no  man  exceeded  him;  there  the  softer 
affections  were  blended  v/ith  just  authority.  The  law  of 
love  and  kindness  was  in  his  mouth.  As  a  friend  he 
was  constant  and  sincere.  The  last  sermon  he  preach- 
ed, he  was  uncommonly  engaged  and  persuasive.  The 
Thursday  following,  he  was  suddenly  seized  with  a  par- 
alytic shock,  and  spoke  no  more."* 

8th  March.  The  ice  broke  up  and  went  out  of  the 
river  with  tremendous  force,  moved  two  ships  on  the 
stocks,  and  did  other  damage. 

Rev.  William  Bachelder  was  ordained  over  the  First 
Baptist  Society,  in  November. 

*  His  funeral  sermon,  preached  by  Samuel  StiUman,  D.  D.,  Pas- 
tor of  the  First  Baptist  Church  in  Boston. 


192 


1807. 

On  the  2otli  of  May,  a  party  of  eleven  men,  who 
were  employed  in  the  ship-yard,  accompanied  a  vessel 
which  had  been  launched  a  few  days  before,  some  dis- 
tance down  the  Merrimack.  The  wind  blew  violently, 
and  it  rained  hard.  They  started  on  their  return  with 
their  sails  unfurled,  and  the  boat  moved  lightly  over  the 
waters.  When  a  little  this  side  of  the  Rocks,  the  boat 
capsized,  and  all  were  precipitated  into  the  river.  Six  of 
the  party,  who  were  stout,  and  athletic  men,  were  drown- 
ed. Their  names  were  Matthew  Pettingill,  Samuel  Blan- 
chard,  John  Foss,  William  Hoyt,  Benjamin  Cole,  and 
Joshua  Weed,  and  all  were  heads  of  families.*  Mr.  Cole 
was  found  the  same  day;  four  were  found  the  next  Sat- 
urday, and  on  the  Sunday  following,  Mr  Weed  arose 
and  was  taken  up.  They  were  all  brought  into  the  vil- 
lage and  buried  on  the  Sabbath,  the  first  four  in  the 
forenoon  and  Mr.  Weed  in  the  afternoon.  It  was  surely 
a  solemn  day.  A  deep  gloom  clothed  the  countenances 
of  all,  and  it  will  long  be  remembered  by  the  surviving 
connexions. 

Samuel  Blodget,  better  known  to  our  elderly  citi- 
zens as  Judge  Blodget,  died  in  August.  lie  was  a  na- 
tive of  Woburn,  though  he  lived  many  years  in  this 
town.  He  was  at  the  taking  of  Louisburg,  in  1745,  and 
before  the  Revolution  he  was  the  Judge  of  an  Inferior 
Court  in  the  County  of  Hillsborough,  New-Hampshire. 

Judge  Blodget  was  an  active,  enterprising  man,  and 
possessed  great  mechanical  ingenuity.  In  175y,  he  es- 
tablished a  pot  and  pearl  ash  works  in  this  town,  which 
were  among  the  first  in  the  Country,  and  a  duck  manu- 
factory in  1791.  In  1783,  he  raised  a  valuable  cargo 
from  a  ship  that  w^as  sunk  near  Plymouth,  with  a  ma- 
chine of  his  own  invention.  Encouraged  with  this  suc- 
cess, he  went  to  Europe  for  the  purpose  of  raising 
money  from  a  rich  Spanish  ship,  but  was  not  permitted 
to  make  the  attempt.     He  then  went  to  England  for  the 

*  Those  who  escaped,  were  Nicholas  Colby,  Moses  Kiinball,  Jo- 
seph Kiiuball,  Nathaniel  Soley,  and  Joseph  Wells, 


193 

purpose  of  weigliing  tlie  Royal  George,  one  of  the  larg- 
est ships  in  the  British  Navy,  but  met  with  no  better 
success,  and  was  looked  upon  as  an  enthusiast,  lii 
1793,  he  began  Blodget's  canal,  so  called,  at  Amoskeag 
Falls.  He  labored  several  years  on  this  work,  and  ex- 
pended all  his  property  on  that,  and  in  attempting  to 
lock  the  falls;  but  without  succeeding  to  his  wishes. 
He  attempted  many  works,  but  almost  always  failed  in 
the  execution.  He  was  eccentric  in  his  manners, 
though  he  possessed  such  a  genius  as  would,  if  properly 
cultivated  and  accompanied  with  application,  have  im- 
mortalized his  name. 

The  Judge  intended  to  live  one  hundred  years,  and 
often  told  his  friends  th^*  such  was  his  calculation. 
His  elixir  vitie  was  rigid  temperance,  activity,  and  to 
sleep,  in  all  weathers,  with  open  doors  and  windows. 
He  did  not,  however,  live  so  long  as  he  expected,  though 
he  enjoyed  uninterrupted  health  and  cheerfulness  until 
his  sickness.  He  died  in  the  85th  year  of  his  age,  of 
consumption,  in  consequence  of  exposing  himself  while 
travelling  from  Boston  to  Haverhill,  in  a  cold  night. 


A  Committee  was  chosen  to  present  a  petition  to 
the  President  of  the  United  States,  "  praying  him  to 
suspend  a  part  or  the  whole  of  the  Embargo  Act." 

Owing  to  the  strong  excitement  and  other  causes 
which  existed,  after  Rev.  Mr.  Abbot  was  dismissed,  the 
First  Parish  was  destitute  of  a  regular  minister  until 
the  21st  of  December,  when  Rev.  Joshua  Dodge  was 
ordained. 

This  year  Haverhill  Bridge  was  rebuilt.  It  is  a  no- 
ble structure,  having  four  arches,  supported  by  three 
stone  piers,  the  stones  of  which  are  firmly  fastened  with 
iron.  The  draw,  which  should  have  been  over  the 
channel,  is  on  the  Haverhill  shore,  and  is  about  28  feet 
in  width;  much  inconvenience  is  suffered  on  account  of 
its  narrowness.  There  is  no  bridge  over  the  Merri- 
mack, and  but  few  in  the  New-England   States,  more 

17 


194 

durable,  or  of  greater  strength.  The  unmense  quanti- 
ties of  ice  that  are  borne  down  the  river  with  tremen- 
dous force,  have  no  other  effect  upon  it  than  a  sh<Tht 
tremulous  motion. 

1810. 

The  Haverhill  Light  Infantry  was  organized  on  the 
'26th  of  May,  and  Jesse  Harding  was  elected  Captain. 
One  of  the  articles  of  its  constitution  directs  that,  if  any  of 
its  members  should  be  removed  by  death,  his  body  shall 
be  consigned  to  the  grave  with  military  honors.  On 
the  6th  of  May,  1823,  an  elegant  standard  was  presented 
to  the  Company,  by  the  Ladies  of  this  village,  through 
the  hands  of  Miss  Polly  Dow,  accompanied  with  a  per- 
tinent address.  The  ceremony  of  delivering  and  receiv- 
ing it,  was  executed  in  an  intelligent  and  graceful  man- 
ner, and  was  spoken  of  at  the  time  as  being  highly  cred- 
itable to  the  parties.  The  Company  is  now  commanded 
by  Capt.  Chauncey  Hastings,  who  was  elected  in  1831, 
and  there  are  but  few  independent  Companies  in  the 
Commonwealth  whose  military  conduct  is  more  praise- 
worthy, and  whose  evolutions  are  more  correct.  The 
Company  is  furnished  with  tents  and  every  other  neces- 
sary requisite  for  a  fatigue-march.  In  1831,  it  estab- 
lished an  armory,  at  an  expense  of  over  five  hundred 
dollars;  and  the  accoutrements  are  there  kept  in  the 
iieatest  and  most  perfect  order. 

181^. 

Some  cakes  of  ice  were  seen  passing  in  the  river  so 
late  as  the  24th  of  May. 

The  United  States  declared  war  against  Great  Bri- 
tain on  the  18th  of  June. 

The  town  voted  to  give  the  soldiers,  while  in  actual 
.service,  ten  dollars  per  month,  including  the  wages  al- 
lowed by  the  General  Government. 


195 


1814. 


The  spotted  fever  made  its  appearance  in  February, 
and  a  considerable  number  died  with  it  in  the  course  of 
the  season.  . 

10th  Sept.  The  Militia  Company  of  this  town  was 
ordered  to  appoint  an  "  alarm  post"  and  to  hold  them- 
selves in  readiness  to  march  at  a  moment's  warnmg. 
About  the  same  time,  the  Light  Infantry,  commanded 
by  Capt.  Samuel  W.  Duncan,  was  ordered  out  by  Gov- 
ernor Strong  for  the  defence  of  the  sea  coast.  They 
obeyed  the  summons  with  alacrity,  and  were  highly 
spoken  of  for  the  correctness  of  their  evolutions,  and 
good  conduct  while  engaged  in  the  fatiguing  duties 
of  the  camp. 

The  Merrimack  Bank  was  incorporated  14th  June, 
and  began  operations  with  a  capital  of  $100,000.  The 
capital  was  increased  $50,000,  February  2d,  1818. 

1815. 

23d  Sept.  This  day  will  long  be  remembered  for 
the  violence  of  a  gale,  since  called  the  "  Septeniber 
Gale."  It  commenced  about  9  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
in  this  town,  and  continued  till  2  in  the  afternoon.  The 
air  was  filled  with  the  limbs  of  trees,  leaves,  and  a  salt- 
spray  blown  from  the  Ocean,  which  encrusted  on  the 
east  side  of  the  buildings,  and  there  remained  for  some 
days.  The  water  in  the  river  tasted  extremely  brack- 
ish; and  the  east  side  of  many  trees  which  withstood  the 
fury  of  the  gale,  were  killed,  as  is  supposed,  with  the 
salt  spray. 


1816. 

About  this  time  the  attention  of  the  citizens  of  Ha- 
verhill  and  Newburyport  was   called  to  a  subject  very 


196 

important  to  them,  the  removal  of  the  obstructions  to 
boat  navigation  on  the  IMerrimack,  between  the  former 
pLace  and  Pawtucket  Falls.  A  Company  was  incorpo- 
rated at  the  May  Session  for  that  purpose;  but  we  be- 
lieve that  nothing  of  any  consequence  was  done. 
In  July,  1825,  we  find  that  a  Committee  was  chosen 
"to  survey  the  Merrimack  above  Haverhill,  to  ascer- 
tain the  practicability  of  canalling  the  falls." 

The  summer  of  this  year  was  extremely  cold;  and 
the  hopes  of  the  farmer  were  almost  wholly  destroyed. 

In  the  fall  a  violent  v/ind  passed  over  some  of  the 
neighboring  towns,  and  over  the  westerly  part  of 
this.  The  house  of  JMr.  Ladd  Haseltine  was  demolish- 
ed, and  his  son,  Jonathan,  was  killed  by  the  falling 
chimney.  Some  other  buildings  were  also  blown  down, 
and  fences  and  trees  were  prostrated." 

Phineas  Woodbury,  M.  D.,  a  native  of  New-Lon- 
don, New-Hampshire,  died  on  the  1st  of  March.  In 
1813  he  was  appointed  Surgeon  in  the  U.  S.  Army; 
but  finding  his  health  gradually  declining,  he  set  out  to 
return  to  his  friends  in  r^'^ew-Hampshire,  and  arrived  at 
Haverhill  on  the  19th  of  February.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  Institution,  and  his  brethren  in  this  to\\'n, 
with  true  benevolence,  attended  him  in  his  last  sickness, 
and  reared  a  handsome  monument  over  his  grave,  on 
which  is  engraved  a  suitable  inscription. 

i§i8. 

The  Haverhill  Female  Benevolent  Society  was  or- 
ganized on  the  13th  of  January.  This  Society  is  now 
in  full  operation,  and  the  object  of  its  benevolent  mem- 
bers is  to  relieve  such  as  are  in  needy  circumstances. 
It  now  consists  of  sixty-five  members,  and  any  female 
may  become  a  member  by  paying  fifty  cents  annually.  In 


19T 


18^n  it  parsed  the  following  resolve:—''  Resolved  unan- 
imously, that  no  wine,  or  cordial  be  admitted  mto  the 
future  meetings  of  this  Society,  and  that  every  proper 
effort  be  made  to  promote  temperance  among  its  beneh- 


ciaries." 


ries." 

The  present  Stage  Company  went  mto  operation  in 
March,  with  a  Capital  of  $4,200.  In  1831  the  capita! 
had  increased  to  $28,900.  ^  ,     -c^-    . -o     .•  . 

Rev  William  Bachelder,  minister  of  the  First  Baptist 
Society  died  on  the  8th  of  April.  He  was  born  in  Boston 
on  the  25th  of  March,  1768,  and  died  in  the  twenty-sixth 
year  of  his  ministry.  But  few  men  have  passed  from 
amona  us  whose  memories  are  more  ardently  cherished 
by  the  living,  than  is  that  of  Mr.  Bachelder.  He  adorned 
every  relation  in  life,  the  civil,  social  and  domestic 
He  was  unwearied  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties,  both 
temporal  and  spiritual,  and  made  zealous  efforts  to 
promote  the  education  of  candidates  for  the  ministry 
The  Maine  Literary  and  Theological  Institution,  will 
lono-  cherish  his  memory  as  one  of  its  earliest  patrons 
and^warmest  advocates.  An  ardent  but  humble  piety 
shone  in  his  daily  conduct,  and  the  patience  and  resig- 
nation which  brightened  his  dying  moments,  accorded 
with  his  character  as  a  minister  and  christian. 

Brio-adier  General  James  Brickett  died  on  the  10th 
of  December.  He  practised  Physic  successfully  for 
many  years,  in  this  town,  and  at  an  early  period  of  the 
dispute  between  the  Colonies  and  Great  Britain,  he 
ranked  himself  with  th§  Whigs,  and  became  a  firm  and 
devoted  patriot.  Soon  after  the  war  commenced,  he  en- 
listed in  the  Army,  where  he  held  the  rank  of  a  Briga- 
dier General.  In  1777,  he  went  as  a  volunteer  with 
the  Company  which  marched  from  this  town  to  the 
Plains  of  Stilhvater,  under  the  command  of  Capt.  Nathan- 
iel Marsh,  and  arrived  just  after  a  cessation  of  arms  had 
been  declared.  He  was  appointed  by  General  Gates 
to  command  the  troops  which  escorted  General  Bur- 
goyne  and  his  suite  to  Albany.  In  this  expedition  he 
incurred  considerable  expense,  and  w^hen  he  laid  his 
account  before  Congress,  that  body  refused  to  remuner- 
ate him,  because  he  was  not  then  an  officer  of  the  Army. 


17^ 


198 


1819. 

Miss  Hannah  Chase,  a  beautiful  and  amiable  young 
lady,  aged  2*2,  committed  suicide  by  drowning,  on  the 
13th  June.  The  verdict  of  the  jury  was  thus: — "  Her 
death,  for  aught  that  appears  to  us,  was  by  sane  suicide, 
unless  insanity  came  suddenly  upon  her,  of  v.hich  it  is 
impossible  for  us,  under  existing  cu-cumstaaces,  to  have 
knowledge." 

18S1. 

Moses  B.  Moody  presented  two  elegant  stoves  to 
the  First  Parish. 

The  Merrimack  Society  for  improvement  in  the 
Arts  and  Sciences,  was  organized,  October  id. 

The  West  Parish  voted  ^10  to  Rev.  Joshua  Dodge, 
'*  for  past  services."  An  invitation  was  extended  to 
Mr.  Thaddeus  Pomeroy  to  settle,  but  he  did  not  accept. 

A  clock  v/as  put  up  in  the  First  Parish  meeting- 
Iiouse,  on  the  1st  December. 

1823. 

On  the  16th  of  December,  the  First  Parish  raised 
S^OO  to  purchase  a  new  bell. 

The  Second  Baptist  Society  was  organized,  and  a 
meeting-house  was  completed  in  the  fall.  Rev.  William 
Bowen  was  ordained.  In  the  year  following,  a  steeple 
was  added  to  the  house,  and  it  is  now  a  very  conve- 
nient and  handsome  building. 

1834. 

A  brick  meeting-house  was  completed  in  October, 
lor  the  Christian  Society.  The  Church  was  gathered 
in  1806,  and  was  supplied  with  Itinerant  Preachers  until 


199 

tiie  2(1  of  August,  1826,  when  Elder  Henry  Plummer 
was  ordained.  Elder  Frederick  Plummer  was  among 
the  first  who  endeavored  to  promulgate  the  tenets  of  the 
Christians  in  this  town,  lie  embraced  religion  in  early 
youth,  and  when  about  nineteen  years  of  age,  began 
to  preach,  lie  was  ordained  in  the  grove  situated 
on  the  east  bank  of  Little  River,  a  few  rods  above 
the  bridge;  and  he  delivered  a  number  of  discourses 
from  a  large  rock,  which  stood  near  the  spot  now  occu- 
pied by  the  druggist-store  of  Dr.  Moses  iSichols. 


1820. 

The  new  brick  mceting-houso,  erected  in  1825,  by 
the  Universalist  Society,  was  dedicated  12th  April;  and 
on  the  same  day,  Rev.  Thomas  G.  Farnsworth  was  in- 
stalled.  This  Society  was  incorporated  l£th  June,  1824. 

25th  May.  A  house  belonging  to  Mr.  Benjamin 
Bradley,  with  all  the  contents  of  the  occupant,  was  de- 
stroyed by  fire. 

On  the  14th  of  July,  Andrew  Fiink  disappeared  in  a 
sudden  and  mysterious  manner.  Immediately  on  the 
knowledge  of  his  elopement,  his  friends  and  neighbors 
turned  out  en  masse  to  discover  him,  but  returned  un- 
successful. About  three  weeks  after,  his  body  was 
found  nearly  two  miles  north  of  the  village  lying  in  a 
brook,  in  a  loathsome  and  putrid  state.  Before  his 
body  was  discovered,  a  strange,  unknown  man  was  seen 
by  some  people  in  the  adjacent  woods.  When  the  peo- 
ple in  the  viliag-e  heard  of  it,  a  party  v/ent  in  pursuit  of 
the  person,  supposing  him  to  be  Mr.  Friiik.  At  length, 
with  great  difficulty,  they  succeeded  in  catching  him, 
and  found  that  it  was  not  Mr.  Frink,  but  literally  a  wild 
man  of  the  woods.  From  the  answers  he  gave  to  their 
questions,  it  was  judged  that  he  had  been  unfortunate  in 
his  intercourse  with  the  world;  and  he  refused  to  min- 
•gle  with  society. 

Rev.  Isaac  Tompkins,  minister  of  the  East  Parish, 
died  on  the  26th  of  November. 

A  donation  of  ^^300  was  received  by  the  First  Par- 
ish, from  a  person  unknown. 


200 

2d  Aug.  There  was  a  violent  hail  storm  in  the 
East  Parish.  Eight  days  after,  ]Mr.  Daniel  Johnson, 
brought  a  peck  of  hail  into  the  village,  which  he  col- 
lected from  a  heap  then  two  and  a  half  feet  high.  The 
heap  was  beside  a  fence  at  the  foot  of  a  hill. 

Rev.  Moses  Welch  was  ordained  in  the  North  Par- 
ish, on  the  26th  of  December,  and  on  the  following  daj, 
Rev.  Moses  G.  Grosvenor  was  ordained  in  the  West 
Parish. 


1S27. 

An  elegant  brick  building  was  completed  for  an 
Academy.  It  is  two  stories  high,  62  feet  in  length,  33 
feet  in  breadth,  has  a  cupola,  and  is  furnished  with  a 
bell.  The  Institution  was  opened  on  the  30th  of  April, 
when  an  oration  was  delivered  by  Hon.  Leverett  Sal- 
tonstall,  of  Salem,  an  Ode  was  sung,  composed  for 
the  occasion,  by  John  G.  Whittier,  of  this  town,  and  a 
Hymn,  by  Dea.  Robert  Dinsmoor,  of  Windham,  New- 
Hampshire.  Oliver  Carlton,  A.  M.,  was  the  first  instruc- 
tor. The  land  on  which  the  building  stands,  was  pre- 
sented to  the  proprietors  by  two  aged  ladies,  Lydia 
and  Abigail  Marsh,  both  of  whom  have  since  died.  It 
is  sincerely  hoped  that  this  Institution  wdl  soon  become 
as  eminent  for  its  literary,  moral  and  religious  character, 
as  any  other  of  the  kind  in  the  State. 

Agreeably  with  the  request  of  Rev.  Joshua  Dodge, 
the  connexion  between  him  and  the  First  Parish,  was 
dissolved  on  the  18th  of  June. 

4th  July.  The  citizens  celebrated  the  day  in  a 
splendid  manner.  An  Oration  was  delivered  by  Nathan 
W.  Hazen,  Esq.,  and  the  meeting-house  was  tastefully 
decorated  by  the  ladies. 

9th  Oct.  The  house  and  barn  of  Daniel  Appleton, 
and  the  barn  of  Hon.  James  H.  Duncan,  with  its  con- 
tents and  some  cattle,  were  destroyed  by  fire.  The  loss 
was  computed  at  7  or  8,000  dollars.  On  the  22d  of  No- 
vember, a  new  house  belonging  to  Benjamin  Godkin, 
was  destroyed  by  the  same  element;  and  on  the  14th  of 
December,  the  barn   of  Jonathan   K,    Smith.     These 


501 

fires,  excepting   that   of  Mr.   Gcdkin,  were    supposed 
to  have  been  the  work  of  an  incendiary. 

The  town  raised  ^600  to  build  Engine-houses,  and 
procure  fire  apparatus. 


1828. 

Rev.  Dudley  Phelps  was  ordained  in  the  First  Par-* 
ish  on  the  9th  of  January,  and  is  the  present  pastor. 

5th  Feb.  The  Haverhill  Temperance  Society  was 
organized,  on  the  principle  of  total  abstinence. 

The  West  Parish  gave  Rev.  Moses  G.  Grosvenor 
notice  that  his  service  was  no  longer  wanted. 

The  Merrimack  Bridge,  connecting  the  Rocks'  Vil- 
lage with  West-Newbury,  was  completed  in  the  fall  of 
this  year.  It  is  built  on  Towne's  system.  It  is  900 
feet  in  length,  is  supported  by  four  stone  piers,  and  two 
abutments,  each  extending  some  distance  from  the  shore. 
It  has  four  defensive  piers,  or  sterlings,  extending  some 
distance  above,  and  a  draw. 

Serious  difficulties  made  their  appearance  in  the 
West  Parish  Society.  They  were  not  allayed  in  the  on- 
set as  they  should  have  been,  but  v/ere  permitted  to 
ripen,  and  the  Inconsequence  was,  a  separation  of  the 
parties.  One  of  them  now  occupies  the  old  meeting- 
house, and  on  the  26th  of  October,  Rev.  Daniel  D. 
Smith  was  ordained.  In  1831,  he  left,  according  to  the 
articles  of  agreement.  The  party  which  left  the  first 
meeting-house,  erected  a  handsome  brick  edifice,  about 
a  mile  west  of  it. 


Haverhill  Lyceum  was  established  on  the  25th  of 
February. 

In  March  an  elegant  organ  was  put  up  in  the  meet- 
ing-house   of  the    First    Parish.     A   few    of  our  wor- 


202 

thy  citizens  who  felt  desirous  of  improving  the  church 
music,  stepped  forward,  bought  an  organ,  and  loaned  it 
to  the  parish. 

The  late  venerable  High  Sheriff  of  Essex  County, 
Hon.  Bailey  Bartlett,  died  on  the  9th  of  September, 
aged  80.  Mr.  Bartlett  received  only  a  common  school 
education,  and  kept  an  English  goods  store,  as  did  his 
father,  till  1789;  yet  a  great  taste  for  reading  marked 
every  period  of  his  life.  He  had  also  a  taste  for  agri- 
culture and  mechanism,  and  was  an  early  member  oi 
the  Agricultural  Society  of  the  State  and  of  the 
County.  His  mechanical  genius,  he  turned  toward  the 
art  of  constructing  bridges,  and  suggested  many  im- 
provements. 

Mr.  Bartlett  lived  at  the  period  of  our  Revolution, 
and  was  a  firm  friend  of  John  Adams,  and  a  fellow 
boarder  with  him  and  Samuel  Adams  on  the  memorable 
4th  of  July,  1776.  When  the  declaration  of  Indepen- 
dence was  proclaimed  in  the  yard  of  Congress  Hall,  he 
was  present,  and  has  often  said  that  it  was  received  with 
murmurs  by  the  crowd.  On  the  1st  of  July,  1789,  he 
was  appointed  Sheriff.  Gov.  Hancock  presented  him 
with  the  commission  in  person,  and  stated  to  him  that 
he  did  it  with  peculiar  pleasure,  as  it  was  the  only  nom- 
ination which  met  the  unanimous  concurrence  of  his 
council.  He  held  the  ofhce  until  the  day  of  his  death, 
with  the  exception  of  only  six  months,  when  he  was 
elected  Treasurer  of  the  County. 

In  1797,  he  succeeded  Judge  Bradbury  as  Repre- 
sentative of  Essex  North  District,  in  the  Congress  of 
the  United  States,  of  which  he  was  a  member  four  years. 
He  was  a  member  of  that  body  during  the  contest  be- 
tween Thomas  Jefferson  and  Aaron  Burr;  and  was  the 
chamber  companion  of  the  late  Chief  Justice  Parker, 
between  whom  a  cordial  friendship  existed  until  the 
death  of  the  latter.  Judge  Parker,  in  a  letter  to  a 
friend,  thus  bears  testimony  to  his  worth;  he  says: — 
"  he  is  the  last  ma  whose  feelings  I  would  intentionally 
wound,  having,  for  more  than  thirty  years,  known  the 
purity  and  integrity  of  his  character,  both  public  and 
private."     IVineteen  days  before  his  death,  he  attended 


203 

Court,  when  sentence  of  death  was  pronounced  on  the 
unhappy  Knapp.  He  returned  the  same  day  to  Haver- 
hill, when  it  took  several  persons  to  lift  him  from  his 
chaise. 

Mr.  Bartlett  was  the  oldest  officer  in  Massachusetts, 
except  the  Clerk  of  the  County  of  Middlesex,  and  pro- 
bably held  the  office  of  Sheriff  longer  than  any  other 
person.  He  was  generally  beloved  by  the  citizens,  and 
whenever  they  met  him,  they  did  homage,  not  only  to 
his  gray  hairs,  but  to  his  virtues.  On  the  day  of  his 
funeral,  many  of  the  shops  were  closed,  and  his  neigh- 
bors generally  attended  to  pay  him  their  last  tribute  of 
respect — to  mourn  over  the  remains  of  one  who  had 
been  long  among  them,  and  to  take  a  last  look  of  the 
man  they  respected. 

His  virtues  were  not  wholly  of  a  private  nature. 
While  he  held  the  office  of  Sheriff,  he  was  kind  and  in- 
dulgent, almost  to  a  fault,  to  the  unfortunate  victims  of 
the  law;  and  it  is  said  that  he  often  paid  the  exaction  of 
the  creditor  out  of  his  own  purse,  rather  than  to  impri- 
son the  poor  debtor.  His  kind  treatment  of  a  political 
libeller  estranged  some  of  his  political  friends,  but  added 
a  bright  gem  to  his  character.  In  the  last  war  an  at- 
tempt was  made  to  tax  Marshal  Prince,  of  this  State, 
with  barbarous  treatment  of  the  British  prisoners;  but 
the  Sheriff  immediately  stepped  forward,  fearlessly  vin- 
dicated the  character  of  the  Marshal,  and  bore  testimo- 
ny to  his  humanity. 


1831. 

Rev.  Samuel  H.  Peckham  was  ordained  in  the  IVorth 
Parish,  on  the  18th  of  February,  and  the  same  council 
dismissed  Rev.  Moses  Welch, 

Rev.  Abijah  Cross  was  ordained  over  the  Society 
attending  the  new  brick  meeting-honse  in  the  West 
Parish,  on  the  18th  of  May. 

The  Youth's  Temperance  Association  was  organiz- 
ed, on  the  principle  of  total  abstinence. 


TOPOCJRAFIIY. 

Haverhill  is  pleasantly  situated  on  the  Merrimack, 
a  large  and  noble  river,  and,  following  its  channel,  is 
about  eighteen  miles  from  its  mouth.  It  is  about 
twenty-nine  miles  from  Boston,  twenty-two  from  Salem, 
twelve  from  Newbury  port,  and  thirty  from  Portsmouth, 
the  most  populous  town  in  New-Hampshire.  It  is 
bounded  on  the  North,  by  the  southern  line  of  New- 
Hampshire;  on  the  South,  by  Bradford  and  West  New- 
bury; on  the  East,  by  Amesbury,  and  on  the  West,  by 
Methuen.  The  Merrimack  and  its  islands,  belong  to 
this  town,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  deed,  which  conveys 
to  the  inhabitants  of  Pentucket  "the  river  and  the 
islands  in  the  river."  We  have  been  informed  that  this 
subject — the  claim  of  Haverhill  to  the  river  and  it? 
islands — has  heretofore  excited  some  controversy  among 
individuals;  but,  if  they  will  take  the  pains  to  examine 
the  deed  critically,  it  will  be  seen,  that  the  claim  of  Ha- 
verhill is  indisputable. 

This  is  an  ancient  town;  and  since  its  settlement,  in 
1640,  eight  towns,  now  containing  a  large  population, 
have  been  settled  wholly,  or  in  part,  by  its  inhabitants. 
The  names  of  these  towns  are,  Methuen,  Salem,  Atkin- 
son, Plaistow,  Hampstead,  Chester,  Concord  and  Ha- 
verhill; all  except  Methuen  are  in  New-Hampshire. 
The  town,  when  it  was  purchased  of  the  original  propri- 
etors, was  twelve  miles  in  length,  and  six  in  breadth, 
with  the  river  and  its  islands.  In  1725,  Methuen  was 
incorporated,  and  about  two  miles  were  taken  from  the 
west  end  and  added  to  that  town.  In  1737,  Commis- 
sioners were  appointed  by  the  Crown  of  England,  to  es- 
tablish the  long  disputed  boundary  line  between  the  Col- 
onies of  Massachusetts  and  New-Hampshire.  This  line 
was  run  through  the  centre  of  Haverhill — hence  three 
miles  has,  ever  since,  been  under  the  jurisdiction  of 
New-Hampshire.  The  town  is  now  about  ten  miles  in 
length,  and  three  in  breadth,  besides  the  river.  It  con- 
tains fifteen  thousand  acres,  and  the  soil  is  generally 


206 

very  productive.  In  the  West  and  North  Parishes? ^ 
there  are  a  few  farms  under  a  veiy  high  state  of  culti- 
vation. Perhaps  it  will  not  be  amiss,  as  we  have  just 
alluded  to  the  farming  interest,  to  mention  the  name  of 
David  How,  Esq.,  who,  it  is  believed,  has  owned  more 
iaad,  and  carried  on  the  farming  business  to  a  greater 
extent  than  any  other  person  in  Massachusetts.  He  de- 
lights to  tin  the  earth,  and  has  spared  no  pains  to  enrich 
and  cultivate  it.  He  has  retrieved  many  acres  of  worn- 
€5ut  land,  "and  brought  many  lots  of  barren  and  unprofita- 
ble soil  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation. 

There  are  three  small  streams  in  the  town,  besides 
the  Merrim.ack,  called  Little  River,  Creek  Brook,  and 
Country  Brook.  Little  River  takes  its  rise  in  Plaistow, 
?N.  H.,  and  empties  into  the  Merrimack  at  the  western 
part  of  the  village.  A  few  rods  from  its  mouth,  there  is 
a  flannel  manufactory,  a  saw-mill,  and  grain-mill,  own- 
ed by  Mr.  Ezekiel  Hale.  Large  quanthies  of  alewives 
are  caught  in  this  stream.  Creek  Brook  is  in  the 
West  Parish,  and  takes  its  rise  from  Creek  Pond.  It 
carries  two  grain-mills;  one  of  which  is  owned  by  Mr. 
Aaron  Chapman,  and  the  other  by  Mr.  Enoch  Bradley, 
jr.  Country  Brook  runs  through  the  East  Parish,  and 
empties  into  the  Merrimack.  It  carries  two  saw-mills, 
one  carding-machine,  one  fulling-mill,  and  one  grain- 
mill.  One  of  the  saw-mills  is  owned  by  Mr.  Joab 
Peasley,  and  the  other  by  Mr.  Cyrus  Noyes;  the  card- 
iTioj-machine  is  also  owned  by  Mr.  Noyes;  the  clothing- 
mill  is  owned  by  jMr.  John  Chase,  and  the  grain-mill  by 
Mr.  Leonard  Johnson. 

There  are  four  Ponds  within  the  limits  of  the  town, 
and  three  of  them  are  situated  within  a  mile  of  the  vil- 
lage, and  within  half  a  mile  of  each  other. 

Creek  Pond  is  in  the  West  Parish,  near  Mr.  Aaron 
Chapman's  mills.  The  shores  are  irregular,  the  waters 
clear  almost  to  transparency,  and  it  has,  for  the  most 
part,  an  even  and  sandy  bottom.  There  are  many  fine 
feirms  in  the  neighborhood,  and  the  surrounding  scenery 
id  exceedingly  beautiful. 

Plug  Pond  is  situated  a  short  distance  north  of  tho 
village.  In  the  months  of  July  and  August,  the  water 
presents  a  greenish  and  disagreeable  appearance.     It  in 


207 

better  known  to  many  of  our  elderly  people  by  tlt«?  name 
of  Ayer's  Pond;  it  was  so  called,  because  the  vVycrs 
settled  near  it,  and  owned  most  of  the  adjoining  land. 

Round  Pond  is  but  a  short  distance  from  Plug  pond. 
It  is  wholly  fed  by  springs  issuing  from  the  bottom,  and 
from  this  circumstance  the  water  is  exceedingly  cold. 
The  village  is  supplied  with  pure,  good  water,  by  an 
aqueduct  from  this  pond.  Pickerel  and  perch  are 
caught  in  its  waters.  This  pond  is  also  better  known  to 
our  elderly  people,  by  the  name  of  Belknap's  Pond,  from 
a  man  of  that  name  who  settled  near  it. 

Great  Pond  is  situated  only  a  few  rods  from  Round 
Pond.  Perhaps  there  i^  not  a  more  beautiful  body  of 
water  in  New-England;  the  scenery  which  surrounds  it 
is  delightful.  The  southern  and  eastern  shores  exhibit 
a  succession  of  bills  of  various  heights,  thickly  wooded 
Vv'ith  tall  pines  and  oaks,  w^hich  fling  their  deep  shadows 
over  the  transparent  waters  belo-^v.  In  these  woods  the 
coy  partridge  is  found,  and  various  other  kinds  of  game^ 
which  affords  a  pleasant  amusement  and  healthy  exer- 
cise to  those  who  are  skilled  in  gunnery.  Its  northern 
shored  rise  more  gradually,  affording  a  beautiful  pros- 
pect of  cultivated  farms,  large  orchards,  and  neat 
and  commodious  dwelling-houses.  The  water  covers 
about  250  acres,  and  is,  in  some  places,  fifty  feet  in 
depth.  Its  surface  is  150  feet  from  the  bed  of  the  Mer- 
rimack; it  abounds  with  white  and  red  perch,  and  pick- 
erel of  the  largest  size  have  frequently  been  caught 
there.  This  pond  has  become  a  fashionable  resort  for 
parties  from  the  village. 

There  are  some  eminences  in  the  tovv'o,  but  none  which 
can  be  dignified  with  the  title  of  mountains;  among  them 
are  Golden  Hill,  Silver's  Hill,  Turkey  Mill,  and  Brandy 
Brow.  Golden  Hill  is  situated  about  a  mile  east  of  Ha- 
verhill bridge,  and  its  base  is  only  a  few  rods  from  the 
Merrimack.  It  is  i^i  fuJl  view  of  the  village,  and  was, 
a  few  years  since,  brought  under  a  hi«h  state  of  culti- 
vation, by  the  exertions  of  David  How,  Esq.  The 
prospect  from  its  brow  is  extensive  and  picturesqe;  the 
l^Ierrimack  flows  majestically  at  its  base,  where  boats 
of  almost  every  description,  from  the  heavy  gondola  to 
t-lie  light  and  trembling  skiff,  are  seen  gliding  along  its 


208 

surface.  And  now  and  then  a  larger  craft,  with  iia 
shrouds  and  white  masts  lifted  high  in  the  air,  and  its 
broad  sails  overshadowing  the  water. 

Silver's  Hill  is  situated  about  three  fourths  of  a  mile 
west  of  Haverhill  bridge,  and  is  also  plainly  seen  from 
that  place.  The  Merrimack  runs  at  its  base;  it  is  now 
owned  by  David  How,  Esq.,  and  is,  of  course,  in  a  high 
state  of  cultivation.  It  took  its  naiBe  from  a  former 
owner. 

Turkey  Hill  is  composed  of  a  long,  irregular  range 
of  elevated  land,  situated  in  the  East  Parish.  It  rises 
considerably  above  the  East  Parish  meeting-house, 
which  stands  at  its  base. 

Brandy  Brow  is  situated  in  the  northerly  part  of  the 
town.  A  part  of  it  is  composed  of  a  stone  which  pre- 
sents a  reddish  appearance,  and,  perhaps,  from  this  cir- 
cumstance it  took  its  name.  Upon  the  brow  of  this  hill, 
there  is  a  large  rock  which  stands  at  the  corner  of  four 
towns — Haverhill,  Plaistow,  Amesbury,  and  Newtown. 

There  are  no  extensive  forests,  and  most  of  tho  wood 
used  is  brought  from  the  neighborino-  towns.  We  have 
noticed  many  kinds  of  trees  in  the  various  parts  of  the 
town,  and  it  may  be  said  that  the  oak  predominates. 
There  is,  also,  the  walnut,  sycamore,  elm,  locust,  hem- 
lock, spruce,  ash,  white  and  black  birch,  willow,  alder, 
wild  black  cherry,  plum,  white  and  pitch  pine,  and  a 
few  white  and  rock  maple.  There  are  many  others  of  a 
smaller  kind,  but  which  would  more  properly  rank  with 
the  shrub.  The  sycamore,  or  buttonwood,  as  it  is  more 
frequently  called,  attains  to  the  greatest  size.  About 
twenty  of  them  are  now  standing  on  the  bank  of  the 
Merrimack,  before  the  mansion  of  Wid.  Samuel  W. 
Duncan;  and,  together  with  the  willows  which  adorn 
the  bank  of  the  river  for  some  distance,  make  a  delight- 
ful shade.  This  appears  to  be  a  favorite  retreat  of 
the  citizens  of  all  classes,  and  on  the  pleasant  evenings 
of  summer,  it  is  frequently  thronged. 

Our  fields  abound  with  various  kinds  of  delicious  fruit, 
which  grow  spontaneously,  and  some  of  them  in  great 
abundance — among  which,  are  the  whortleberry,  blue- 
berry, strawberry,  raspberry,  and  vine  and  bush  black- 
berry.    Many  gardens  are  emiched  with  peaches,  rare-» 


209 

ripes,  and  plums  of  every  description;  and  a  few  line 
^rowing  orchards  are  almost  in  the  heart  of  the  village. 
Considerable  attention  is  paid,  especially  by  the  ladies, 
to  the  culture  of  exotic  flowers  and  plants. 

The  location  of  Haverhill  Village  is  exceedingly 
beautiful.  Golden  Hill  rises  abruptly  on  the  East,  and 
Silver's  Hill  rises  more  gradually  on  the  West.  The 
noble  Merrimack  runs  on  the  South,  and  winds  around 
it  in  the  form  of  a  crescent.  The  village  is  built  on 
the  south  side  of  a  gentle  acclivity,  which  rises  grad- 
ually from  the  river,  the  houses  appearing  one  above 
another,  affording  a  delightful  view.  The  two  prin- 
cipal streets.  Water  and  Main-streets,  are  somewhat 
irreo-ular:  and  this,  tooether  with  the  irrecjular  struc- 
ture  of  some  of  the  buildings,  are  almost  the  only 
things  which  mar  the  prospect.  Water-street  is  a  mi]e 
or  more  in  length,  and  is  thickly  lined  on  both  sides 
with  buildings  of  every  description;  it  runs  parallel  with 
the  river.  Main-street  intersects  with  \Vater-street 
opposite  Haverhill  bridge,  and  runs  north.  This  is 
a  very  pleasant  street,  and  is  adorned  on  each  side 
with  a  number  of  elegant  buildings.  The  early  set-- 
tlers  calculated  that  a  village  v/ould,  at  some  period, 
rise  on  the  site  of  the  present  one,  for  in  1643,  when  the 
accommodation  grant,  spoken  of  in  that  year,  was  sur- 
veyed, these  two  streets  were  reserved.  A  few  years 
since,  Summer-street  was  opened  on  the  brow  of  tho 
hill,  intersecting  with  Main-street,  and  the  north  side  is 
adorned  with  elegant  dwelling-houses.  Tliis  is  the 
pleasantest  street  in  the  village.  No  buildings  are 
erected  on  the  south  side  of  it,  which  leaves  a  charming 
prospect  of  the  green  hills  of  Bradford,  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  river,  and  of  the  picturesque  village  which 
lies  beneath  it.  A  number  of  other  streets  have  been 
opened  within  a  few  years,  which  add  much  to  the  beau- 
ty of  the  tov.'n. 

There  are  eight  houses  for  public  worship  within  the 
limits  of  the  town;  four  of  which  are  in  the  village,  two 
in  the  West  Parish,  and  two  in  the  East  Parish.  The 
denominations  which  worship  in  them,  are,  one  Chris- 
tian, one  Universalist,  two  Baptists,  and  four  Congre- 
gationalists.     The    meeting-house    in    Piaistow,   stands 


210 

but  a  few  rods  from  the  line  of  Haverhill,  and  is  princi- 
pally owned  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  North  Parish. 
There  are  a  few  Friends  in  town,  but  they  have  no 
house  for  worship. 

In  the  easterly  part  of  the  town,  there  is  another  vil- 
lage, called  the  "Rocks  Village,"  which  is  now  in  a 
very  flourishing  condition.  It  has  three  stores,  one 
tavern,  a  house  for  public  worship,  and  is  celebrated  for 
its  manufactory  of  horn  combs.  It  is  connected  with 
West-Newbury  by  Merrimack  bridge,  which  affords  a 
safe  and  easy  communication,  and  will  doubtless  in- 
crease the  trade  of  the  village.  It  was  owing  to  the  en- 
terprise and  energy  of  a  few  individuals  of  that  place, 
that  this  bridge  was  erected.  This  village  has  grown 
up  within  a  few  years,  and  most  of  the  buildings  have 
the  appearance  of  being  new.  Before  1800,  there  was 
a  ship-yard  in  this  place,  and  a  few  vessels  were  built. 

There  is  another  small  village  in  the  North  Parish, 
consisting  of  fifteen  or  twenty  houses,  principally  situated 
on  the  main  road  to  Concord,  New-Hampshire.  The  peo- 
ple are  principally  tillers  of  the  soil,  and  the  most  of  them 
are,  what  is  called,  "  forehanded  farmers.''  Their  meet- 
ing-house, which  is  situated  in  Plaistow,  was  erected  be- 
fore the  boundary  line  was  established  between  the  two 
provinces.  Soon  after  this  was  effected,  a  few  of  the 
inhabitants  petitioned  the  General  Court  for  liberty  to 
hold  meetings  and  act,  in  all  respects,  as  a  "distinct 
and  separate  Precinct."  This  liberty  was  granted,  and 
they  have,  ever  since,  enjoyed  all  immunities  commonly 
allowed  to  Parishes — though  they  have  generally,  since 
1737,  united  with  Plaistow  to  procure  a  minister.  We 
have  been  thus  particular  in  making  these  statements, 
because  many  people  have  thought  that  they  did  not 
enjoy  the  privilege  of  raising  and  appropriating  monies, 
and  other  immuiiities  of  a  parish,  without  the  concurring 
voice  of  Plaistow. 

Haverhill  is  a  place  of  considerable  business,  and 
has,  of  late  become  quite  a  manufacturing  town;  its  im- 
portance, however,  is  not  so  great  as  its  central  situa- 
tion deserves.  It  has  an  extensive  back  country,  and 
is  a  good  market  for  most  kinds  of  country  produce. 
The  farmer  can  sell  his  articles  here  nearly  or  quite  as 


211 

advantageously  as  at  any  other  market,  and  foreign  and 
domestic  goods  can  generally  be  purchased  as  cheap  as 
in  Boston.  There  are  about  forty  stores,  and  many  of 
them  are  well  Mlled  with  every  description  of  goods. 

The  article  of  shoes,  is  now  extensively  manufactur- 
ed. It  is  impossible  to  state  the  exact  number  of  pairs 
that  are  annually  made,  or  the  stock  invested  in  the 
trade.  A  few  houses  have  been  so  obliging  as  to  fur- 
nish us  with  a  statement  of  their  manufactures,  for 
the  past  year,  and  the  aggregate  is  over  1,000,000. 
If  this  business  increases  as  rapidly  for  a  few  years  to 
come  as  it  has  the  three  last  years,  no  town  in  the  State 
will  exceed  this  in  the  number  of  shoes  manufactured,  or 
the  amount  of  capital  invested  in  the  trade.  Some  of 
our  most  worthy  and  enterprising  young  men  are  en- 
gaged in  the  business. 

Large  quantities  of  hats  are  manufactured,  which 
are.  exported  to  the  southern  States,  and  other  places. 
The  most  extensive  establishment  is  owned  by  Mr.  Na- 
than Webster;  there  is  another  in  the  village,  owned  by 
Mr.  David  Webster,  four  in  the  West  Parish,  owned  by 
Messrs  Isaac  How,  Phineas  Mow,  Jonathan  Crowell, 
and  Gilman  Haynes;  one  in  the  North  Parish,  owned 
by  Mr.  Samuel  Whittaker.  These  establishments  em- 
ploy a  great  number  of  workmen.  Hats  are  manufac- 
tured to  the  amount  of  $100,000  annually. 

The  manufacture  of  horn  combs  is  very  extensive. 
This  business  is  confined  wholly  to  the  East  Parish.  We 
were  informed  by  a  number  of  intelligent  gentlemen, 
who  carry  on  the  business,  that  the  amount  of  combs 
manufactured  in  the  year  1831,  would  exceed  $30,000. 
It  gives  employment  to  about  a  hundred  persons  of  both 
sexes;  and  no  doubt,  will  be  a  source  of  profit  to  the  en- 
terprising gentlemen  engaged  in  the  business. 

The  tanning  of  leather  is  carried  on  to  a  considera- 
ble extent,  though  not  so  extensively  as  is  desirable — 
for  a  large  portion  of  the  leather  manufactured,  is  pur- 
chased in  other  places.  The  currying  business  is  also 
considerable,  and  there  are  a  few  extensive  establish- 
ments of  this  description. 

A  i^ew  years  since,  the  manufacture  of  leather  gloves 
was  carried  on  extensively;   and  about  thirty  men  were 


212 

constantly  employed  in  niar.nrucfurinj:!^  plated  ware  lor 
saddles,  harnesses,  and  other  articles,  before  the  tax 
was  laid  upon  it.  This  business,  however,  beoius  to 
revive,  and  a  nnniber  of  establishments  oire  now  in  the 
West  Parish  in  full  operation. 

Ship-building,  we  arc  sorry  to  say,  is  not  so  ex- 
tensive as  it  was  before  1800.  At  that  period,  and 
even  before  the  revolution,  it  v.as  considered  a  very  ini- 
poitant  branch  of  business.  Many  ships  were  built  and 
a  large  quantity  of  shipping  was  owned,  for  so  small 
a  place,  which  was  principally  employed  in  the  West 
India  trade.  Ships  of  four  hundred  tons  can  be  safely 
launched  in  the  Merrimack  at  high  tide.  In  1810, 
vessels  were  built,  amounting  to  1300  tons;  both  ship- 
yards were  occupied,  and  about  sixty  men  were  con- 
stantly employed  in  them.  This  business  was  seriously 
interrupted  by  the  restrictive  measures  of  Government 
previous  to  the  last  war,  but  it  began  to  revive  with  tlie 
revival  of  commerce,  and  so  late  as  1816,  it  was  deemed 
profitable  and  important.  It  is  hoped  that  the  busi- 
ness will  be  pursued  with  energy,  as  considerable  quan- 
tities of  line  timber  are  now  growing  in  the  vicinity,  the 
average  price  of  which  is  five  dollars  per  ton. 

Perhaps  it  will  not  be  amiss  before  this  work  is 
closed,  to  make  a  few  remarks  on  the  character  of 
the  early  inhabitants.  It  lias  already  been  said  that 
the  settlement  was  projected  and  headed  by  a  minis- 
ter, who  was  a  wortliy  and  upright  man.  His  peo- 
ple mostly  followed  his  example,  and  prided  themselves 
on  the  purity  of  their  moral  conduct,  and  extreme  ex- 
actness of  their  religious  devotions.  We  are  bold  to 
assert  that  there  v.as  no  settlement  in  the  vicinity,  con- 
taining a  less  number  of  idle  and  vicious  persons,  in 
proportion  to  the  population,  than  this.  The  Court 
Files  are  a  good  criterion  to  judge  by  in  this  matter; 
and,  while  examining  them,  we  were  surprised  to  find  so 
small  a  number  of  prosecutions  for  immoral  conduct. 
This  state  of  things  continued  until  the  commencement 
of  the  Indian  wars,  when  the  moral  and  religious 
feeling  of  the  inhabitants  began  sensibly  to  dete- 
riorate. This  was  natural;  for  war,  of  whatever  des- 
cription, has  a  powerful  tendency  to  lessen  the  regard 


213 

of  the  parties  for  religious  devotions— to  unclcrmiiic  the 
moral  feelings,  however  firmly  they  may  be  established, 
and  indeed,'' to  blunt  all  the  finer  sensibilities  of  the 
heart.  Religious  and  moral  admonitions  were  then  less 
frequently  given;  the  father  had  other  things  to  employ 
his  thoughts— the  life  of  the  mother  was  one  of  contuui- 
ed  fear  ti^-  herself  and  for  those  she  loved,  and  while 
fear  predominates  in  the  breast,  it  is  surely  a  poor  time 
to  administer  religious  instruction.  The  person  then, 
who  possessed  vicious  inclinations  and  an  ill-natured 
disposition,  had  greater  liberty  to  indulge  them,  and 
consequently  more  power  to  corrupt  companions. 

After  the  close  of  the  wars,  the  inhabitants  did  not 
return  to  the  primitive  simplicity  which  characterized 
them  before  their  commencement.  A  new  generation 
was  on  the  stage — new  opinions  and  new  desires  had 
become  popular,  and  the  primeval  ones  were  laid  aside. 
Ignorance,  with  his  cloven  foot  and  beastly  shape,  stalk- 
ed among  them;  for  nearly  all  thoughts  of  schools,  in 
the  time  of  the  wars,  were,  of  course,  relinquished.  It 
may  be  truly  called  an  age  of  darkness;  immorality  and 
vice  fearlessly  erected  their  standards,  and  battled  too 
successfully  with  the  advocates  of  opposite  principles. 

This  state  of  things  continued,  with  but  little  devia- 
tion, until  the  great  reformation  in  1740,  which  affected 
the  greater  part  of  New-England.  Public  morals  and 
the  religious  feelings  of  the  inhabitants,  then  met  with 
a  great  "and  radical  change.  They  have  ever  since  been 
gradually  ripening,  and  at  no  period  since  the  settle- 
ment, have  the  public  morals  been  elevated  to  so  high 
and  noble  a  standard  as  at  the  present  day.  This  is, 
perhaps,  contrary  to  the  settled  opinions  of  many;  but, 
while  developing  the  morals  of  the  early  inhabitants,  we 
endeavored  to  compare  them  impartially  w^ith  those  of 
the  present  age,  and  became  satisfied  that  what  we  have 
now  asserted  is  substantially  correct. 

We  do  not  wish  to  be  understood,  that  the  moral  and 
religious  opinions  and  deportment  of  the  early  settlers 
exercised  no  influence  over  the  succeeding  generations. 
On  the  contrary,  they  did  exercise  influence  of  a  most 
salutary  nature;  which  was  not  confined  to  that  genera- 
tion, but  is  felt  and  acknowledged,  even  when  the  last 


ei4 

of  its  number  has  long  niouldercd  in  the  dust.  And 
even  at  this  day,  there  is  a  living  power  among  us  which 
was  established  by  the  early  settlers,  nearly  two  centu- 
ries ago.  It  lived  through  the  darkest  age  of  immorality 
and  has  descended  to  us,  not  in  its  primordial  shape,  but 
in  a  purer  and  less  bigoted  form. 

Our  history  is  now  finished.  We  have  narrated — 
and  have  endeavored  to  do  it  impartially — the  principal 
events  which  have  transpired  since  the  settlement.  The 
work  was  commenced  with  a  knowledge  ot  the  high  and 
responsible  duty  which  every  historian  owes  to  the  pub- 
lic, and  with  a  full  determination  to  discharge  it  as  faith- 
fully as  our  humble  abilities  would  permit.  If  we  have 
related  incidents  which  injure  the  feelings  of  those  who 
are  proud  of  ancestral  honor — if  we  have  spoken  of  by- 
gone characters  in  a  manner  which  wounds  the  pride  of 
some  of  the  present  generation,  we  are  free  to  say,  that 
our  opinions  were  not  biassed  by  fear,  or  the  promise  of 
reward — that  the  fault,  if  any  exists,  is  not  with  us,  but 
with  their  ancestors.  On  a  few  subjects,  v/e  have  dif- 
fered materially  from  some  of  our  friends,  but  we  have 
not  ventured  to  utter  our  opinions  until  they  had  been 
closely  investigated.  We  may  have  erred — we  would 
not  be  considered  infallible — and  if  we  have,  the  reader 
may  be  assured  that  it  was  not  intontionailv. 


appe:k'bix. 


Staccessi^iaa  of  Mae  inters. 
FIRST  PARISH. 

J^amc?.  Time  cf  Ordination.  Deceased. 

ReX'.  John  Ward,  1641,  Dec.  27,  1693, 

'■'  Bcnjamiu  Rolfe,  Jan.  7,  1G94,  Aug.  29,  1708, 

"  Joshua  Cardner,  Jan    10,  1711,  March  21,  171-5, 

"  John  Brown,  May  13,  1719,  Dec.  2,  1742, 

''  Edward  Barnard,  April  27,  1743,  Jan.  26,  1774, 

"  John  Shaw,  March  12,  1777,  Sept.  29,  1794, 

"  Abiel  Abbot.  June  8,  1795,  June  13,  1803.* 

"  Joshua  Dodge,  Dec.  21,  1808,  June  18,  1827.* 

"  Dudley  Phelps,  .^in.  9,  1828. 

NORTH  PARISH. 

Re\.  James  Cushlng,        I  Oct.  — ,  1730,  |  May  13,  1764, 

'-  Gyles  Merrill,  |  March  6,  1765,  j  April  27,  ISO}, 

"  Moses  Welch,  Dec.  26,  1826,  Feb.  17,  1831.* 

"  Sam'l  II.  Peckhani,  |  Feb.  18,  1831.  | 

WEST  PARISH— FIRST  societv. 

Rev.  Harnuol  Bachellor,  I  July—,  1735,       I  Oct.  9,  1761.* 

"   Phineas  Adams,         | ,  1770,  1  Nov.  17,  1801, 

"  Moses  G.Grosvenor,  [  Dec.  27,  1826,      I ,  182S.* 

"  Daniel  D.  Smith,       \  Oct.  26,  1828.       | 


Rev.  Benjamin  Parker, 
"   Isaac  Tompkms, 
"  John  II.  Stevens, 

FIRST 

Rer.  ITezekiah  Smith, 
'*   William  Batchclder, 
"   George  Keely, 


EAST  PARISH. 

Nov.  — ,  1744,  Jan.  2!,  1777,' 
Jan.  7,  1797,  Nov.  21,  1826, 
,  1829. 

BAPTIST  SOCIETY. 

[  Nov.  12,  1766,  I  Jan.  24,  180.5-, 
Nov.  — ,  1805,  1  April  8,  1818, 
Oct.  7,  1818. 


SECOND  BAPTIST  SOCIETY 

Rev.  William  Bowcu,      I ,  18-25. 

"  Oti3  Wing.  I 

FIRST  UNIVERSALIST  SOCIETY. 

Uev.  T.  G.  Farnsworth,  |  April  1  2,  1826.     ] 

CHRISTIAN  SOCIETY. 

Elder  Henry  Plummer,    |  Aug.  2,  1826.        { 

WEST  PARISH— SECOND  society. 

Rer.  Abijah  Cross,  }  May  iS,  1831.       j 

*  Time  dismissed. 


Age; 
88. 
46. 
28. 
46. 
54. 
48. 


59. 
62. 


60. 


72. 
65. 


67. 
51. 


216 

Of  the  natives  ot*  Haverhill,  who  have 
received  a  College  Sdtication. 

HARVARD  COLLEGE. 

1634 — -GuRDONus  Saltonstall,  Mr.,  V.  D,  M., 

[Connec.  Colon.  Gub. 
1695 — *Nathanael  Saltonstall,  Mr.,  Tutor. 
1695 — *Richardus  Saltonstall,  Mr. 
1709 — ^Johannes  Wainwright,  Mr. 
1710— *Obadias  Aver,  Mr. 
1717 — ^Richardus  Hazzen,  Mr. 
17oo_*Timotheus  White,  r>Ir. 
1722 — *RicHARDUs  Saltonstall,  Mr.,  Mass. 

[Prov,  Cur.  Sup.  Jurid. 
1727— *Nathanae]  Saltonstall,  Mr. 
1737 — *31oses  Emerson,  INIr. 
1741 — *  Johannes  Browny  Mr. 

1743 — *Jacobus  Pecker,  Mr.,  M.  M.  S.  Y.  Praeses. 
1743 — *  Cotton  Brown,  ]Mr. 
1748 — *Ward  Brown 
1751 — *Richardus  Saltonstall,  Mr. 
1751 — ^Johannes  White,  JMr. 
1752 — *  Thomas  Brown,  Mr. 
1757 — *Jeremias  Pecker,  Mr.,  1761 
1759 — *Johannes  W^hittier,  Mr. 
1761 — ^Moses  Bado-er,  Mr. 
nGl—*Johannes  Marsh,  Mr.,  S.  T.  D.  Tut. 
1766 — *Nathanael  Saltonstall,  Mr.,  M.  M.  S.  vSoc. 
1771— *Johannes  White,  Mr. 
1772 — *Josua-Bailey  Oss^ood,  Mr. 
1773_*J3aniel  Parker,  Mr.,  1782 
1774 — *Edvardus  Barnard,  Mr. 
1775 — *Isaacus  Osgood,  Mr. 
1787 — Leonard  AVhite,  Mr. 
]'!S1—Petrus  Eaton,  Mr.,  S.  T.  D. 
1792 — Stephanus-Peabody  Webster,  Mr. 
1793 — Phineas  Adams,  Mr. 
1795 — Josua  Wingate,  Mr. 

1798— *Gulielmus-Smith  Shaw,  Mr.,  A.  A.  ct.  S.  U.  S. 
1802— Leverett  Saltonstall,  Mr.,  A.  A.  et.  S.  H.  S. 
1804 — Ebenezer  Greenough 


217 


1804 
1806 
1807 
1807- 
1810- 
1810 
1812 
1813 
1828 


-Moses  Webster,  Mr. 
-Thomas  Tracy,  Mr.,  1816 
-Jacobus-Cushing  Merrill,  Mr.,  S.  H.  Soc. 
-Samuel  Merrill,  lUr. 
-*Samuel-White  Duncan,  Mr. 
— Isaacus-Reddington  How,  Mr. 
-Jacobus-Henricus  Duncan,  Mr. 


Richardus  Saltonstall,  Mr. 
Carolus  Minot,  Mr. 

YALE  COLLEGE. 
1809— Theodore  Eames,  Mr. 
1814 — Johannes-Mulliken  Atwood 
1821— Carolus  Atwood,  Mr. 

DARTMOUTH  COLLEGE. 
1798— Gulielnius  Moody 
1802— Samuel  Walker 
1810— Moses  S.  Moody 
1813 — Benjamin  Greenleaf,  Mr. 

UNION  COLLEGE. 
1831— Nathanael  Hills 


I.I§T 


of  the  Kepreseiitat 

[Copied  principally  from 

1648  to  1654,  Robert 

[Clement 
1654,  John  Clement 
1655  to  1660,  none 
1660,  John  Davis~2d  Ses- 
[sion 
1661  to  1666,  none 

1666,  Nath'l  Saltonstall 

1667,  Henry  Palmer 

1668,  William  Davis 
1669  to   1672,  Nathaniel 

[Saltonstall 

1672,  George  Brown 

1673,  Humphrey  Davy-2d 

[Session 

19 


ive§   of  Haverhill. 

the  Legislative  Files.] 

1674,  Henry  Palmer 

1675,  George  Brown 
1676  to  1680,  Henry 

[Palmer 

1680,  George  Brown 

1681,  Daniel  Hendrick 

1682,  none 

1683,  Peter  Ayer 

1684,  Robert  Swan 

1685  and  1686,  Peter  Ayer 

1687  to  1689,  none 

1689  and  1690,  Peter  Ayer 

1691,  John  Johnson 
,     <  George  Brown 
'   \  Samuel  Hutchins 


1692, 


218 


ioQQ     J  Daniel  Ladd 
l^y^,    ^Thomas  Hart 
1694,  Daniel  Ladd 
1695  and  1696,  Peter  Ayer 

1697,  John  Page 

1698,  Peter  Ayer 

1699,  Richard  Saltonstall 
1  TOO,  John  White 

1701,  Samuel  Ayer 

1702,  John  White 
^John     White,     1st 

1  703,  <  Session— John  Ha- 
(  seltine,  2d  Session 
1704  and  1705,  Samuel 

[Watts 
1706  and  1707,  James 

[Saunders 


1703,  John  White 
1709,  James  Saunders 
1710  to  1713,  John 


13,  John  White 


Ha- 

[seltine 


1 

1714 

1715'and  1716 


John 


Haseltine 
John 

[White 
Amos  Singletary 


1717, 

1718,  John  Saunders 

1719,  John  White 
1720  to  r 


26,  John  Saun- 
[ders 
1726  and  1727,  James 

[Saunders 
1728  and  1729,  Richard 

[Saltonstall 
1730  to  1733,  Nathan 

[Webster 
1733  and  1734,  William 

[White 
1735  and  1736,  Richard 

[Saltonstall 

1737,  Nathaniel  Peasley 

1738,  Richard  Saltonstall 


1739  to  1742,  Nathaniel 

[Peasley 

1742,  Richard  Hazzen 

1743,  Richard  Saltonstall 
1744  and  1745,  Philip 

[Haseltine 
1746  to  1749,  Nathaniel 

[Peasley 
1749  and  1750,  Nathaniel 
[Saunders 
1751,  John  Haseltine 
1752  and  1753,  Nathaniel 
[Peasley 
1754,  Richard  Saltonstall 
1755  to  1761 ,  David  Marsh 
1761  to  1769,  Richard 

[Saltonstall 
1769  and  1770,  Samuel 

[Bachellor 
1771  to   1776,  Jonathan 

[Webster,  jr. 
«^       (  Jona.  Webster 
^^'^'    I  Nath'l  P.  Sargent 
1777  to  1781,  Jonathan 

[Webster 
1781  to  1784,  Bailey 

[Bartlett 
1784  and  1785,  Samuel 

[White 

1786,  Nathaniel  Marsh 

1787,  Isaac  Osgood 
.^_j.     (  Bailey  Bartlett 
^^^^'    I  Nathaniel  Marsh 
1789  and  1790,  Nathaniel 

[Marsh 
,^Q-      C  Francis  Carr 
^'^^'    I  Samuel  Blodget 
1792,  to  1796, Francis  Carr 
1796,  none 
1797  and  1798,  Nathaniel 

[Marsh 
1799,  Benjamin  Willis 


219 


1800,  Benjamin  Willis 

1801,  none 

1802  and  1803,  Francis 

[Carr 
1804  to  1807,  David  How 
1807  and  1808,  James 

[Smiley 
1809,  Leonard  White 
1810  and  1811,  Ebenezer 
[Gage 
1812  to  1819,  David  How 

1819,  Charles  White 

1820,  to  1823,  Moses  Win- 
gate 

1823  and  1824,  Enoch 

[Foot 

1825,  Stephen  Minot 

1826,  none 


^  Moses  Wingate 
I  James  H.Duncan 
(  Charles  White 
I  John  Brickett,  jr. 
C  Thomas  Harding 

<  John  Brickett,  jr. 
(  W^illiamBachellor 
C  Thomas  Harding 

<  William  Bachellor 
(  John  Brickett,  jr. 

1831,  Caleb  B.  LeBosquet 

1832,  Caleb  B.  LeBosquet 
"  Thos.  G.  Farns worth 
'^     Ephraim  Corliss 

"  James  Davis,  cho- 
sen 2d  Monday  in 
November,  1831. 


1827. 


1828 


1829 


1830, 


CEM^US  OF  SIATEHmiil. — 1830. 
MALES^  ' 


Un- 

5 

10 

15 

20 

30 

40 

50 

60 

70 

80 

90 

der 

to 

to 

to 

to 

to 

to 

to 

to 

to 

to 

to 

5 

10 

15 

20 

30 

40 

50 

i  60 

170 

80 

90 

100 

257 

233 

206 

221 

426 

265 

141 

90 

75 

33 

m 

1 

FE 

MALES. 

Un- 

<fcr 

5 

5 

to 
10 

10 
to 
15 

15 

to 
20 

20 
to 
30 

30  1     40 
to        to 
40        50 

50 
to 
60 

60 
to 
70 

70 
to 
80 

80 
to 
90 

90 

to 

100 

?Ai 

188  1 

193  I 

187  : 

416 

258  !  175  1 

127 

96 

45 

19  1 

4 

Males, 
Females, 

Total, 

Population  in  1820, 


1960 
1952 

3912 
3070 


Gain,         -         -         -         -  842 

The  population  at  present  is  about  4200.  More  than 
half  of  the  inhabitants  reside  within  half  a  mile  of  Ha- 
verhill Bridge. 


220 

BIKECTORT. 
Proressionftl  C^eiitlemeii. 

Brickett,  Daniel  Phijsiciaii. 
Cross,  Abijah  Clergijman. 
Duncan,  James  H.  Lawyer. 
Farnsworth,  Thomas  G.  Clergyman. 
Howe,  Isaac  R.  Lawyer. 
Keel\^,  George  Clergyman. 
Kinnison,  Timothy  Physician. 
Longley,  Rufus  Physician. 
JVIinot,  Charles  Lawyer. 
Minot,  Stephen  Lawyer. 
Parker,  Gilman  Lawyer. 
Peckham,  Samuel  H.  Clergyman. 
Phelps,  Dudley  Clergyman. 
Plummer,  Henry  Clergyman. 
Stevens,  John  H.   Clergyman. 
Whiting,  Augustus  Physician. 
"VVing,  Otis  Clergyman. 

iCS,  ^C,  «&:€. 
Alley,  Joseph  A.  Tailor,  Osgood's  Building. 
Ames,  Ezra  C  Merchant,  ISo.  5,  IMain-street. 
Appleton,  J.  A.  &  G.  &  Co.  Merchants,  Water-st. 
Appleton,  John  Tailor,  No.  2,  Mechanics'  Row. 
Ayer,  George  W.  Shipwright,  Water-st. 
Ayer,  James  2d  Joiner,  Green-st. 
Ayer,  Richard  Tanner,  West  Parish. 
Ayer,  Samuel  W.  Grocer,  Water-st. 

Bailey,  Benjamin  Wheelwright ,  West  Parish. 

Bailey,  Phineas  Wheelwright,         "■  ^' 

Balcli,  J.  k  M.  P.   Watchmakers  Sr  Jewellers,  Main-st. 

Bartlett,  Charles  L.  Deputy  Sheriff,  Water-st. 

Bartlett,  Israel  Silversmith,  ^Vater-st. 

Brickett,  John  BlacT.smith,  North  Parish. 

Brickett,  John  jr,        ''  '' 

Brown,  William  Tavern  and  Livery  Stable^  Main-st. 

Burr,  Harriet  Milliner,  Water-st, 


Caldwell,  Jacob  .S7?oc  Manufuclurer,  East  Parish. 

Caldwell,  William  Distiller,  VVater-st. 

Caldwell  St  Pierce,  Merchants   St   Shoe  Manvfacturcrs, 

[Water-st. 
Carleton,  Charles  Mason,  West  Parish. 
Carleton,  Israel  jr.  Tanner  cV  Currier,  near  Plug  Pond. 
Carleton,  I.  jr.  &  J.  Stove  Manufacturers,  " 

Carleton,  Michael  Clock  ^  Watch-maker,  Water-st. 
Carleton  &  Newcomh, Merchants^  Silversmiths, Waier-st. 
Chamberlain,  John  Chaise-maker,  Water-st. 
Chapman,  Aaron  Miller,  West  Parish. 
Chase,  Abigail  Milliner,  No.  9,  Main-st. 
Chase,  Anthony  Shoe  Manufacturer,  East  Parish. 
Chase,  John  Clothier,  " 

Chase,  Moody  Taverner,  Washington-st. 
Chase,  Samuel  Merchant  <^  Shoe  Mamfacturer,  Water-st. 
Chase,  Tappan  Grocer  Sf  Shoe  Manvfac''r,  East  Parish. 
Chase,  Thomas  G.  Comh  Manufacturer,  Rocks'  Village. 
Cochrane  St  Brown,  Merchants,  Water-st. 
Colby,  Steuben  Joiner,  River-st. 
Colby,  Wil'liam       "  " 

Corliss,  John  jr.  Sihersmith,  West  Parish. 
Corliss,  Phineas   Ci^ar  Mamfacturer,  No.  ll,Main-!5t. 
Crowell,  Jonathan  Hat  Manufacturer,  West  Parish. 
Currier,  Hugh  M.  Mason,  W  ater-st. 
Currier,  Nathaniel  jr,  Currier^  IMain-st. 

Davis,  Charles  Shoe  Mamfacturer,  Water-st. 

Davis,  James  Comb  Manufacturer,  Rocks'  Village. 

Davis,  John  Chaise  Sf  Harness-maker ,  Main-st. 

Dole  St  Kimball,  Chaise-makers,  River-st. 

Dole,  Paul  Grocer,  " 

Dow,  Charles  W.  Carpenter,  East  Parish. 

Dow,  John  Merchant,  No.  3  Main-st. 

Dunbar,  Charles  H.  Cabinet  Sf  Chair-^naJcery  Water-st. 

Easterbrook,  Joseph,  Joiner,  Rocks'  Village. 
Easterbrook,  Samuel,  Mason,  " 

Eaton,  Jeremiah  B.  Chaise-maker,  Water-st. 
Eaton,  Job  Cabinet-maker,  " 

Eaton,  llmothy  Plater,  West  Parish. 
Eaton,  Ward  Grocer,  Hale's  Mills. 

19* 


25!2 

Edwards  St  Harding,  Curriers^  Water-st, 
Edwards,  John  Constable^  Tecker-st. 
Emerson,  B.  &  M.  E.  Butchers,  Main-st. 
Emerson,  Benjamin  'id,  Shoe  Manufacturer,  Main-st. 
Emerson,  Itiiamar  Plough  Manufacturer,  North  Parish, 
Emerson,  Jesse  Shoe  Manufacturer,  West  Parish. 
Emerson,  IMoses  3d,  Merchant,  Water-st. 
Emerson,  Nathan  Joiner^  V\  est  Parish. 

Farnum,  Roswell  Shoe  <Sr  Boot-maher^  Main-st. 

Fitts,  Jeremiah  Joiner,  River-st. 

Foot,  Enoch  Merchant,  Rocks'  Village. 

Foot,  Samuel  C.  Comb  Manufacturer,  Rocks'  Village. 

P^oss,  William  Currier,  AVater-st. 

Gale,  James  Bookseller  Sf  Statiojier,  Water-st. 
Gale,  Moses  Merchant,  '"' 

Galley,  James  Barber,  *' 

George,  Samuel  Shoe  Manufacturer,      " 
George,  William  Carpenter,  East  Parish. 
Gilman,  Frederick  Barber,  ^>'ater-st. 
Goodridge,  Barnard  Shipwright,  Water-st. 
Goodiidge,  Ezekiel  "  " 

Gould,  W  illiam  A.  Harness-maker,  Stage-st. 
Greely,  Joseph  Shoe  Manufacturer,  Water-st. 
Gubtal  St  Haseltine,  Shoe  Mamfacturers,  Water-st. 

Harriman  St  Sarijent,  PriJifers,  Main-st. 

Hale,  Ezekiel  Woollen  Manufacturer,  Hale's  Mills. 

Hammond,  Andrew  W.  Chaise-maker,  W  ater-st. 

Hardino-,  Thomas  Tanner,  " 

Harmon  St  Kimball,  Merchants   &>    Shoe  Manufacturers^ 

[Water-st. 
Harriman,  Nathan  B.  Blacksmith,  West  Parish. 
Haseltine,  Abigail  W.  Mantuamaker,  Water-st. 
Hasselton,  Ladd  Chaise-maker,  West  Parish. 
Hasselton,  Leonard  "  " 

Hasselton,  Samuel  Plater,  " 

Hassehon,  Stephen  Blacksmith,  North  Parish. 
Hasselton,  Ward  Chaise-maker,  West         '' 
Hastings,  Chauncey  Silversmith,  Water-st. 
Hayes,  Thomas  M.  Morocco  Dresser,     " 
Haynes,  Gilman  Hat  Manufacturer j  West  Parish. 


2^23 

Hayiies,  iMoses  Shoe  Manvfadurer ,  West  Parish. 

Heath,  Dustin  Joiner,  Winter-st. 

Heath,  William     " 

Hersey,  Caleb  Merchant  8f  Slioe  Manufacturer ^  Water-st, 

Hills,  Nathaniel  Druggist,  " 

Hills,  Elisha  T>.  Joiner,    West  Parish. 

How,  Isaac  Hat  Manvfadurer,      " 

How,  Jacob  Merchant,  Water-st. 

How,  Phineas  Hat  Manufacturer,  West  Parish. 

Hutchinson,  Elisha  Morocco  Dresser,  W^ater-st. 

Insurance  Agency  of  the   Commonwealth  In.  Co.  Bos- 

[ton,  Moses  JVichols,  Main  &  Water-sts. 
Insurance  Agency  of  the  Manufacturers'  In.  Co.,  Bos- 
[ton,  James  Gale,  Water-st. 

Johnson,  Andrew  Blacksmifh,  Stage-st. 
Johnson,  Thomas  Miller,  East  Parish. 
Johnson,  John  &  Samuel  Blacksmiihs,  Water-st. 
Johnson  &  M'Questen,  Merchants  Sf  Taverners,  Rocks' 

[Village. 
Jordan,  Thomas  Pump-maker,  IVIain-st. 

Keely  Sc  Chase,  Merchants  Sf  Shoe  Mamfadurers,  No, 

[2,  Main-st. 
Kinrick  8c  Eaton,  Painters  4*  Glaziers,  Water-st. 
Kimball,  Alfred  Joiner,  Kcnt-st. 
Kimball,  Benjamin  jr.  Merchant,  Water-st. 
Kimball,  Moses  Joiner,  Washington-st. 
Kimball,  James  B.    "  " 

Kimball,  Richard  Shoe  Mantfndurer,  Main-st* 
Kimball,  Richard  Mason,  Water-st. 
Kimball,  Wilham  Grocer,  " 

Knight,  Samuel  Joiner,  Pecker-st. 
Knowles,  Rufus  K.  Tanner  S^  Currier,  Rocks'  Village. 

Ladd,  John  Comh  Mamfadurer,  Rocks'  Village. 
Ladd,  Nathaniel  Blacksmith,  ^' 

Ladd,  William  H.  Chaise  Sf  Harness-maker,  Water-st, 
Lake,  Oliver  P.  Shoe  Manufacturer,  East  Parish. 
Le  Bosquet,  J.  H.  St  Co.  Hard  Ware  Merchants  Sf  Lamp 
[Mamfadurers J  No.  7,  Main-st. 


224 

Marble,  Leonard  Chaise-maJcer,  Hovv-st. 
Marsh,  D.  St  J.  Merchants  S^"  Card  Manuj^rs,  Water-st. 
Marshall  &  Fletcher,  Coopers^  '* 

Meady,  Thomas  Merchant  Sf  Shoe  Manufacturer,    " 
Merrill,  David  Baker,  " 

3Ierrill,  Ebenezer  Blacksmith,  " 

Moody,  Edward  S.  Comb  Manufacturer,  Rocks'  Village, 
Morse,  Edmund  Joiner,  Main-st. 
Mulliken,  Stephen  Shoe-maker,  Water-st. 

Nichols,  Abel  Whitesmith,  Pleasant  Point. 

jVichols,  Moses  Drugg;ist,  Main  Sc  Water-sts. 

Noyes,  Cyrus  Miller,  East  Parish. 

Noyes,  James   Merchant  Sf   Shoe  Manufacturer,  No,  6, 

[Main-st. 
Noyes,  Samuel  Comh  Manufacturer,  Rocks'  Village. 

Orne,  Ephraim  B.  Comh-maker,  Rocks'  Village. 
Osgood,  Peter  Druggist  4*  Shoe  Manufacturer,  Main-st. 

Page    &.    Kimball,    Merchants    ^'    Shoe  Maniifacturers, 

[Main-st. 
Palmer,  Daniel  Mason,  Water-st. 
Palmer,  James  Whitesmith,  Pecker-st. 
Palmer,  Moses  S.  Blacksmith,      " 
Perley,  Daniel  S.  Shoe  Manufacturer,  Water-st. 
Peterson,  James  Joiner,  Ilow-st. 
Pettengill,  David   Shipwright,  River-st. 
Pingree,  Benjamin  P.  Taverner,  North  Parish. 
Plummer,  John  Gilder  4"  Sign  Painter,  Stage-st. 
Plummer,  Thomas  Wheelwright,  River-st. 
Porter,  Dudley  Merchant,  Water-st. 
Post-Office,  James  Gale,  P.  M.     " 
Post-Office,  John  Johnson,  jr.  P.  M.  Rocks*  Village. 

Quimby,  Philip        Joiner,  Water-st. 
Quimby,  Philip  jr.       "  '' 

Rollins,  John  I.  Comh  Manufacturer,  Rocks'  Village, 
Ross,  Moses  Grocer,  Mechanics'  Row  and  Water-et. 
Runnels,  Thomas  Blacksmith,  River-st. 
Russell,  Samuel  Shoe  Manufacturer,  near  Great  Pond. 


Sargent,  Amos  Brick-maker,  West  Parish. 

Sargent,  Phineas  Grocer  and  Boatman,  River-st- 

Sargent,  Robert  Brick-maker,  Hale's  Mills. 

Savary,  William  Livery  Stable,  Water-st. 

Sawyer,  James  Wheelwright,  North  Parish. 

Sawyer,  Leonard  "  " 

Slocomb,  Rufus  Taverner  Sf  Wagoner^  Water-st. 

Smiley,  Amos  Grocer,  " 

Smiley,  James  Grocer,  North  Parish. 

Smiley,  M.  Mantuamaker,  How-st. 

Smiley,  William  Grocer,  No.  3,  Mechanics'  Row. 

Smith,  R.  &  J.  Milliners,  Main  &,  Water-sts. 

Stickney,  Jeremiah  Taverner,  '^ 

Steel,  M.  Confectioner,  '^ 

Swan,  Daniel  Hatter,  Rocks'  Village. 

Thayer,  A.  W.  Printer,  Water-st. 
Trow,  Ephraim  S.  Clock  S^-  Watch-^naker,  Water-st. 
Trow,  John  Shoemaker,  '' 

Tyler,  Job  Morocco  Dresser  Sf  Shoe  Manufacturer,  No's. 
[4,  5,  &.  6,  Mechanic's  Row. 

Webb,  William  Shoemaker,  Water-st. 

Webster,  David  Hat  Mamfacturer,  " 

Webster,  Isaiah  Shoe  Manufacturer,  West  Parish. 

Webster,  Jonathan  3d,  Blacksmith,  North  Parish. 

Webster,  Joseph  Joiner,  West  Parish. 

Webster,  Nathan  Hat  Mamfacturer,  Green-st. 

West,  Charles   Mason,  Water-st. 

West,  Edwin  "  '' 

West,  Hazen  Wagoner,       '^ 

West,  Thomas  3d,  Mason,  Hale's  Mills. 

Whitaker,  John  Hatter,  North  Parish. 

Whitaker,  David  Shoe  Mamfacturer,  North  Parish. 

WHiittier  £c  George,  Merchants  ^  Shoe   MamfacturerSy 

[Water-st. 
Whittier,  Warner  Merchant,  «' 

Williams,  Nancy  Mantuamaker,  " 

Wingate,  James  Clock  Sf  Watchmaker,  " 

W^ingate,  P.  &  M    Dressmakers,  " 

Woodman,  John   Shoe  Manufacturer,  Tanner  Sf  Currier, 

[Water-st. 
Woodward,  Caleb  Merchant  Tailor,  No.  8,  Main-st. 


226 


SOCIETIES. 


Fire  Claab. 

Organized  1768. 
Moses  Nichols,  Cierk  &  Treasurer. 

HaYea'Saill  Bridg-e. 

Incorporated  1793, 
James  H.  Duncan,  President;  Benjamin  Willis, 
Vice  President;  Leonard  White,  Treasurer;  Charles 
White,  Clerk. 

MerrlMiack  Hrldge. 

Incorporated  1794. 
Richard  Stuart,  President;  Moses  Newell,  Vice 
Pres.;  Enoch  Foot,  Treas. ;  George  Foot,  Clerk. 

S©€aal  Iiif>rary. 

Organized  1796 — 740  Volmnes. 
Oilman  Parker,  Librarian,  Treasurer,  &.  Clerk. 

Aqtiedtict  Coisipaaay. 

Incorporated  1 802. 
David  How,  James   H.  Duncan,  Jesse  Harding, 
Directors;  Charles  White,  Treas.  St  Clerk. 

Merrimack  Haisk. 

Incorporated  1814. 
David  Marsh,  jr.,  Pres.;  Leonard  White,  Cashier. 

Female  lieafievoleiit  Society. 

Organized  1818. 
Mrs.    Jesse    Harding,    Mrs.    Moses    Gale,    Mrs. 
Isaac  R.  Howe,  Mrs.  Augustus  Whiting,  Managers; 
Miss  Elizabeth  Marsh,  Secretary  k  Treasurer. 

^ta^e  CoBiipany. 

Organized  1818. 
Thomas  Newcomb,  John  Dow,  Charles  White, 
Directors;  Hiram  Plummer,  Treas.  &  Agent. 


227 

Fragment  Society. 

Organized  1825. 
Mrs.  A.   W.   Thayer,  Mrs.  Oliver  Brown,  Mr3. 
Abel  Page,   Mrs.  Sarah  Whittier,  Managers;   Mis» 
Lydia  White,  Secretary  &  Treasurer. 

Haverliill  Academy. 

Incorporated  1827. 
Rev.  George  *  Keely,    Pres. ;  Nathan  Webster, 
Treas.;  James  H.  Duncan,  Sec'ry. 

Temperance  ISociety. 

Organized  1828. 
Rev.  Gardner  B.  Perry,  President;  Rev.  Dudley 
Phelps,  Vice   Pres.;   Abijah  W.  Thayer,  Sec'ry  and 
Treasurer. 

l^aTm^s  Bank. 

Incorporated  1829. 
James  H.  Duncan,  Pres.;  Isaac  R.  Howe,  Benja- 
min Greenleaf,  Vice  Pres.;  James   Gale,  Secretary 
and  Treasurer. 

Haverhill  liyceum. 

Organized  1830. 
RuFus  LoNGLEY,  Prcs. ;  Isaac  R.  Howe,  Vice-Pres.; 
James  H.   Duncan,  Cor.   Sec'y;    James   Gale,  Rec. 
Sec;  GiLMAN  Parker,  Treasurer. 

Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company. 

Incorporated  1830. — Not  yet  organized. 

East  Haverhill  Temperance  Society. 

Organized  1830. 
Rev.  Otis  Wing,  Pres.;  Timothy  Kinnison,  Vice- 
Pres.;  Andrew  Kinnison,  Sec'y. 

Mechanics'  tiibrary  Association, 

Organized  1831.— 200  Volumes. 
Elbridge   G.   Eaton,  Pres.;    Frederick  Gilman, 
Vice-Pres.;  Thomas  M.  Hayes,  Sec'y. 

Youth's  Temperance  Association. 

Organized  1831. 
Elias  T.  Ingalls,  Pres.;  Thomas  M.  Hayes,  Vice- 
Pres.;  Moses  H.  Whittier,  Sec'y  and  Treasurer. 


ITIHl    £.  0   1304 


» 


MAY  2  5  193 


